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Petitions from Maryland were called and presented; at this point, Mr. Atherton, at the request of Mr. Thomas, moved to reconsider the vote of Saturday last, granting leave of absence to Mr. Smith after the 1st of May next. The motion was entered, and the call for petitions proceeded in regular order.

All the states having been called, The house then took up several senate bills, which were read twice, and referred.

Mr. Lincoln from the committee on the public | Whereas, it was some years since declared to the buildings, and by direction of that committee, mov-people of the United States, by the illustrious Andrew ed that the house go into committee of the whole on Jackson, that reform and retrenchment in their governthe state of the union, and take up the bill providing ment and its expenditures were necessary; and wherefor taking down the materials of the new treasury as, the declaration of the late president, in relation to building, and applying them in the erection of a tures of the government, was not carried out by his the promised reform and retrenchment of the expendi post office. He stated the urgency of the case, one friends in congress: and whereas, instead of lessening hundred and fifty mechanics having their employ the expenditures of the government, that they have been suspended, and it being of importance, on all ac- largely and enormously increased; and whereas, it is counts, that the question be settled one way or the highly important to the people of the United States that other. their government should be usefully administered upon as cheap a scale or price as is consistent with the public good:

members be appointed to take into consideration, and Therefore, resolved, That a select committee of nine

Mr. Rencher, of North Carolina, objected; but, on the suggestion of Mr. Whittlesey, consented to waive his objection. Mr. Boon renewed it; whereupon, the question being put, the house, by a vote of two-thirds, (required to change the order of busi-report to this house, what salaries of the officers of this ness,) assented to the motion, and went accordingly into committtee of the whole (Mr. Pope in the chair) on that bill.

At 4 o'clock the house, on motion, adjourned. Tuesday April 17. Mr. Campbell, of South Carolina, stated that he had on yesterday voted from misapprehension against granting leave to Mr. Hopkins, of Virginia, to offer a resolution on the subject of affording the support of the government to the banks in resuming specie payments, and, if in order, would move a reconsideration of that motion; not that he suspected the administration of any hostility to the banks, or any wish to impede them in bringing back the country to a sound and healthful currency; Mr. Lincoln went into an expose of the grounds but as the subject was confessedly one of great im- of the bill, giving a complete history of the present portance, he did not desire to be misunderstood in re-building, from its inception, exonerating the late lation to it. and present administration from all blame as to its location, size, or defects, and explaining the course of the present architect, and of the committee, in relation to the whole subject.

The Chair said that the motion was in order, and would be entered on the journal, to be considered hereafter.

The bill having been read,

a

government may be reduced, what officers may be dis pensed with, and what items of expenditures in the various offices or departments of this government can be entirely or in part dispensed with; and, for the pur poses of enabling the committee to make a correct report whether or not the expenses of the different execu tive departments of this government have increased within the last ten years, and what salaries may be reduced, what officers may be dispensed with, and what items of expenditure may be lessened:

Therefore, resolved, That the secretaries of state, treasury, war, navy, and the postmaster general be, and they are respectively, required to report and communicate to this house, as soon as practicable, what were the expenses of their respective departments, including every item of expenditure in the year commencing on the 4th day of March, 1829, and ending on the 3.1 day of March, 1829, and so on for each successive year, up to the 4th day of March, 1333, placing each item of

Mr. Adams, from a select committee to whom had
It is impossible, at present, to present even
been referred a memorial on the subject of encou-sketch of the debate, which occupied the house
raging a system of meteorological observations during the residue of the sitting, and terminated,
throughout the United States, was directed to ask the for this day, without the house having arrived at
use of the hall, previously to the sitting of the house, any decision respecting the bill.
on Wednesday and Thursday mornings, to afford to
professor Espey an opportunity to deliver two lec-leng, objecting to the probable extent of the discus-expenditure under its proper head.
tures on that subject.

Objection being made to receiving the motion, The Chair reminded Mr. Adams that when select committees should be called, the motion would be in order.

lic lands.

Mr. Harlan, from the same committee, reported against senate bill for giving effect to the 8th article of the treaty of 1819 with Spain.

Mr. Yell, from the committee on military affairs, reported a bill for providing for the defence of the

western frontier.

Mr. Ingham, from the same committee, reported senate bili to remunerate the captors of the privateer Lydia, without amendment.

When Mr. Lincoln had concluded, Mr. Cambre

sion while appropriation bills were delayed, moved
that the cominittee rise.

Mr. W. Thompson opposed the motion, and took
occasion from the bill to go into a general attack
upon the extravagance of the administration.

Objection being made from several quarters, Mr. W. moved a suspension of the rule, and asked for the yeas and nays, which were ordered.

Mr. McKay requested the gentleman to withdraw the preamble, and then he would vote for the resolutions.

Reports of committees were then called, when Mr. Pickens made a speech in opposition to the the following, among other reports, were received. bill, in which he spoke highly of Mr. Mills, and Mr. Boon, from the committee on public lands, re- his reputation in South Carolina, where he had consent to do that. Mr. Cambreleng wished to know Mr. Williams replied that he could, on no account, ported, without amendment, senate bill providing for erected a number of buildings. Mr. Mercer follow- if the house was again disposed to set aside all the the reduction and graduation of the price of the pub-ed, in defence of the bill, and in reply to Messrs public business of the nation, as it did yesterday, to Thompson and Pickens. Mr. Boon replied to Mr. consider this proposition Thompson's attack, and vindicated the administra- the chair if the question could not be taken on the Mr. McKay inquired of tion's economy. Mr. Rencher earnestly opposed preamble and resolutions separately? The Chair rethe bill, and remonstrated against relying on the opinions of interested architects from abroad, &c. plied that the question was not divisible, for a proMr. Williams, of North Carolina, replied to his col- position could not be divided till it was before the house. Mr. McKay reiterated that he would willeague, and defended the bill, insisting on the abil-lingly vote to suspend for the resolutions, but not for ity and disinterestedness of those who had con- the preambie. Mr. Tillinghast solicited the gentledemned the present building, which he proposed to man to withdraw one single word of the preamble. replace by a plain, economical structure. Mr. Yell Mr. Williams. Not one word, nor one letter. spoke warmly against the bill, inveighing against The house refused to suspend the rules-yeas 92, the extravagance of the good-society party, and landing the economy of the soup and-bread party, who, he prophesied, would erect a greater obstruction to the prospect of the president's house from the other end of the capital than would be interposed by this treasury building. Mr. Everett went into a calculation to show the vast expense to which a completion of the present building would pledge the house, and the economy of arresting the plan, and pulling down the present defective edifice. Mr. Taliaferro inquired why the present materials could not be used in erecting a new treasury building, rather than be transported to a distance to build a post office? Mr. Lincoln explained; and some conversation ensued between those gentlemen and Mr. Mercer on the relative merits of sand stone and granite, when,

Mr. Howard, from the committee on foreign af fairs, reported against the petition of Samuel Goldsbury for property captured and condemned under the Neapolitan government in 1807.

Mr. Fairfield, from the same committee, reported a bill to provide for surveying the northeastern boundary line of the United States, according to the provisions of the treaty of peace of 1783.

Mr. Sibley, from the cominittee on revolutionary pensions, reported against the petitions of sundry officers and soldiers, &c. of the revolutionary war, praying that all pensioners who were struck from the pension roll under the law of 1820 may be restored to their pension.

Mr. Fletcher, from the committee on patents, reported “An act in addition to an act to promote the encouragement of the useful arts," accoinpanied by a report thereon.

Mr. Calhoun, of Massachusetts, from the select committee, reported a bill granting a bounty in land to such soldiers of the old fourth regiment of United States infantry as served during any part of the war with Great Britain.

Mr. Taylor, from the committee on invalid pensions, reported the following resolution, which was disagreed to by the house:

Resolved, That this house will proceed on Friday next, after 12 o'clock, o consider the bills which have been reported by the committee on invalid pensions, and those that may be reported before that time. Mr. Fletcher presented the following resolution, which was read, and referred to the committee on the library:

Resolved, the senate concurring herein, That the commissioner of patents have the privilege of taking books from the library of congress, for the use of his depart ment, under the same rules and regulations as are prescribed to members of congress.

Select committees being called on for reports, Mr. Adams again presented the request of professor Espey for the use of the hall.

Mr. Noylor, having obtained the floor, moved for
the raising of the commitice.
The motion prevailing, the committee rose ac-
cordingly, and thereupon the house adjourned.
Wednesday, April 18.
Mr. Peck asked leave to
present a memorial relative to the late duel between
members of this house.

Mr. Garland, of Louisiana, objected to its recep-
tion at this time; and it was not received.

Mr. Naylor asked leave to offer a resolution (heretofore presented, but objected to) making certain inquiries relative to this subject.

Mr. Ingham made objection.

Mr. Naylor moved that the rules be suspended to enable him to offer it; which motion was lost.

Mr. Corwin, from the committee on the judiciary, reported, with an amendment, senate bill to provide for the better security of the lives of passengers on board vessels impelled in whole or in part by steam.

nays 87.

The unfinished business of the morning hour was the resolution submitted some time since by Mr. Hopkins, of Virginia, to divorce the public press from the patronage of the government.

Mr. Dromgoole moved to add the following to the resolution:

And that the said committee be also instructed to in

quire whether the individual elected printer by this house, at the extra session, does now execute, and has, in fact, since his election, executed the public printing at his own establishment, with the press, types, and hands employed in his own office, and subject to his immediate orders, directions, and control; or whether the public printing has not, since the period of said election, been executed, and whether it is not now exe cuted, at the office of the political journal other than that of the printer to this house, and under the direc tions and regulations of other editors; and if so, to inquire upon what authority, and upon what terms, conditions, and stipulations, the public printing has been transferred to individuals other than the one appointed and required by this house to perform the same. And that the said committee inquire further, whether, prior to the final ballot, and before the close of said election of printer, there was not some bargain, agreement, or understanding, express or implied, inchoate or complete, that in the event of the election of the individual now holding the appointment, the public printing should be executed at the office of another political journal, whose editors were, at the same time, also candidates this house, specially, the nature and the terms of any for the appointment; and that the committee report to such bargain, agreement, or understanding.

And that the committee be also instructed to ascer

tain and state, under separate and specific heads, the various expenditures growing out of the action of the special committee of this house, appointed on the 31 day of January, 1837; and in like manner the various Mr. Stanley, from the committee on invalid pen-expenditures growing out of the action of the select sions, reported a bill for the relief of Benjamin D. committee of this house, appointed on the 17th day of January, 1837; and also the various expenditures growThe request was supported by Messrs. Whittlesey, Townes. Connor and Tillinghast, and opposed by Messrs. Mr. Johnston, of Va., from the committee on re-ing out of the action of the committee on the judiciary on the memorial of Richard S. Coxe, and William L. Pickens and Petrikin, the latter of whom demanded volutionary pensions, made an unfavorable report Brent, presented to this house on the 30th day of Janu the yeas and nays upon it, but the house refused to on the petition of Wm. Neves: ordered to lie on the ary, 1937; and also the expenditure incurred under the order them; and the discussion was briefly ended by table. orders of this house of the 15th and 18th September last, in relation to the printing of the rules and orders of the house, with Jefferson's manual of practice.

Mr. McKennan's demanding the previous question, Mr. Williams, of Ky., asked leave to offer the fol-
when the question was agreed to: Ayes 99.
lowing preamble and resolutions, which were read:

Mr. Wise said he should vote for this amendment, for the reason that the bare presentation of it show ed the necessity of Mr. Hopkins's resolution being adopted. He suggested another point of inquiry to Mr. Dromgoole, viz. how much public patronage nad been distributed during the last two years, and how much of that public patronage had gone into the pockets of the editors of the official organ.

In reference to the alleged bargain between the Madisonian and Intelligencer offices, Mr. W. disavowed any privity, though he had no doubt the parties on the other side (the Globe) would have made a similar bargain, if such existed, if they could have done so.

Mr. Grundy said he had not moved the postponement of the resolution with any reference to that measure.

Mr. Preston resumed: The subject, he said, naturally forced itself on their consideration; and if congress were not to act further on the finances, was there the slightest reason why they might not be ready to adjourn by the time specified? But if other measures on the finances were to be proposed and acted upon, Mr. P. would be very glad to be informed, and, if such were the fact, he would be willing to accede to any time that might be requir ed. Congress had now been more than four months in session, and no measure of relief for the country or for the government had been provided, and they had the right to complain that they were not informed whether any thing further was likely to be proposed. If there was to be any thing, they ought to be informed, and, if not, they ought to adjourn; and whether there was or not, ought not to be determined by any talk or rumor out of doors, but by express action in one or the other body. The sub-treasury bill, it was well known, was dead and buried. If there were to be any new schemes or projects offered, Mr. P. was ready for them, and would like to see them.

the question, as the vote had been cast up. Mr. Bell protested against this practice of allowing gentlemen to vote by a mere suspension of the rules, instead of by unanimous consent-a practice which had grown up within the last two or three years, and was not known previously in the ten years of which he had been a member. He raised the point as one of order. The Chair decided the practice to be in order. Mr. Bell took an appeal, and the house affirmed the decision of the chair.-ayes 97, noes 56. Mr. Mercer then moved a reconsideration of the vote by which the house had suspended the rule to allow Mr. Elinore, to vote; but the motion was rejected-ayes 74,-noes 89. The vote on the enA message in writing was received from the presi- grossment of the bill was then announced as foldent of the United States, by the hands of his pri lows-yeas 96, nays 99. So the bill was rejected. vate secretary, A. Van Buren, esq. transmitting a Mr. Everett then moved a reconsideration of the large mass of documents and correspondence in re-last vote. Mr. Briggs moved a call of the house. lation to the delay in the sailing of the exploring ex- Mr. Dromgoole inquired if a motion to lay the mopedition. tion to reconsider on the table would be in order? Mr. Ingham, moved to refer them to the commit- The Chair replied that it would, but not pending tee on naval affairs. He would not move their print- the motion for a call of the house The call was ing at present, for the documents were very volumi- then ordered, and proceeded in for some time; and nous, and the committee would report at an early 203 members having answered to their names, Mr. day what ought to be printed. Mr. Naylor moved Petriken moved that all further proceedings in the the printing of the whole. Mr. Mason of Ohio un-call be dispensed with; which was agreed to-ayes derstood that a vast amount of the correspondence 96, noes 71. Mr. Dromgoole then moved to lay the Mr. Wright said he had contented himself yeshad been already printed. Mr. Ingham confirined motion to reconsider on the table. Mr. Briggs cal- terday with a silent vote to lay the resolution on the that statement, and added that a great number of the led for the yeas and nays; which were ordered, and table, and he would not now enter into any political other documents had also been printed. Mr. Mallory were-yeas 85, nays 112. So the motion to lay on considerations connected with the subject; but he assented to Mr. Inghain's motion. Mr. Naylor the table was decided in the negative, and the ques- would notice some very important measures on modified his motion, by excepting what had been tion recurring upon reconsidering the vote by which which the senate had acted and had sent to the already printed. Mr. Wise was at a loss to see the the bill was rejected, Mr. Rencher asked for the other house, who had not yet acted upon them them. necessity of referring the subject to the committee yeas and nays; which were ordered, and were Of these he enumerated the bill in reference to the on naval affairs, for the time had gone by when the yeas 110, nays 87. So the house determined to currency, on which the senate had consumed two information would be of service. It was locking the reconsider the vote. Mr. McKennan then moved months, the bill to increase the army, the bill grantstable door after the horse was stolen. The motion the previous question on the engrossment of the ing pre-emption to settlers on the public lands, the of Mr. Naylor to print was rejected. bill, but the house refused to second it-yeas 70, bill graduating and reducing the price of the public nays 79. Mr. Haynes briefly opposed the bill. The lands. In regard to the treasury bill being dead debate was further continued by Messrs. C. H. Wil- and buried, that might be the opinion of the maliams, of Tennessee, and Graves, of Kentucky, in jority of the two houses; but Mr. W. did not think opposition to the bill, and by Mr. Southgate, in its so. That measure, in any shape, had occupied the support. Mr. Underwood then renewed his motion attention of the house only two weeks; and, supto recommit the bill to the committee of ways and posing a majority of the house were opposed to the means, with instructions to report a bill surrender-views of the executive, were they consequently ing the road to the respective states through which opposed to act at all on the subject? If they were it passed; and, having spoke a short time in sup- not, they would want time for action; and Mr. W. port of his motion, and in opposition to the bill, hoped and believed that they would feel it their imOn his motion, perative duty to act on the subject, and that they would act. No provision had been made for the southern Indian war in either house, and it was expected that there would be a debate for weeks in the other house on that subject alone.

Mr. Wise then moved to instruct the committee to inquire into, and report the causes, of the failure of the exploring expedition. Mr. Ingham accepted this amendinent; and, so modified, his motion to commit was agreed to.

The Speaker laid before the house a communication from the secretary of the treasury, transmitting certain custom-house returns.

On motion of Mr. Cushman, laid on the table. Also, a communication from the postmaster general containing statements of the postages received on paid and unpaid letters sent by express inail, from and to the cities of New York, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and Mobile.

On motion of Mr. Johnson, of La. laid on the table.

The business then in order was "the bill making appropriations for the continuation of the Cninberland road in the states of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois."

The question was on concurring with the committee of the whole on the amendment making an appropriation for guard fences east of the Ohio, and the improvement of the Laurel Hill descent, and that pending was the motion of Mr. Underwood to recomimit the bill to the committee of ways and means, with instructions to report in lieu thereof a bill to cede said road to the states respectively, through which it passes.

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Mr Underwood expressed a wish to postpone the bill, on the ground of getting a response to a call for certain information respecting it. Mr. Mason of Ohio warmly opposed the suggestion as an indirect mode of killing the bill. There could be nothing wanting in the way of information. Mr. Under wood wanted some information as to the cost per mile up to this time. Mr. Mason informed the gen tleman that he would find that information in a document printed at the first session of the last congress. Mr. Boon also insisted that the motion to postpone the bill for further information was only another mode of killing the bill, and with a view to test the sense of the house, he demanded the previous question.

On taking the second, by tellers, there was a tie, ayes 64, noes 64, but the speaker voting in the affirmative, it prevailed-ayes 65, noes 64, and the main question was ordered without a division.

Mr. Montgomery asked for the yeas and nays thereon; which were ordered. Mr. Wise moved a call of the house. Mr. Briggs remarked that the motion was not in order at that stage, and the Chair so ruled. The question was then taken: but, before the vote was announced,

Mr. Elmore appeared in his place, and asked leave to record his vote, stating that he was in attendance on a select committee, by leave of the house, when the vote was taken. Objection being made, Mr. E. moved a suspension of the rule; which was agreed to-113 to 43. Mr. Elmore's name was then called; and that gentleman having responded, Mr. Bell rose and inquired if the gentleman's vote varied the vote of the house? The Chair could not answer

The house adjourned.

THURSDAY'S PROCEEDINGS.

In senate, April 19. The Vice President presented a communication from the secretary of the treasury, in pursuance of a senate resolution of the 8th instant with copies of three reports from the presi dent of the United States Bank of Pennsylvania, made at the commencement of the months of February, March, and April, respectively. Laid on the table, and ordered to be printed

After the presentation of a number of memorials, &c., the joint resolution for the adjournment of congress on the first Monday in June, coming up on its third reading

Mr. Calhoun said that when he voted yesterday for the resolution, he did it on the ground that there would be ample time for the senate to finish its business. But if it were regarded as a measure to prevent action in the other house on the subject of the treasury bill, because it was considered dead, Mr. C. would not vote for it. He did not consider that as dead; but he believed that the other house would feel it an imperious duty to act on that measure, yea or nay; and if this resolution was to take from the other house the responsibility of doing so, Mr. C. would not vote for it, but move to lay it on the table. He thought there would be no such other calamity as for congress to rise without action on that great question.

Mr. Grundy said he thought the senate were act ing too hastily on this subject. Perhaps there had been no period of the government when more important business was before congress than at this time; and if this resolution should be passed, the Mr. King took a similar view of the subject, and subject would then be beyond the control of con- said that from the remarks of Mr. Preston he was gress. The better way, he thought, was, not to de-induced to regard the resolution in a new aspect; cide the question at this early day, because they and if it was likely to give the other house an op could not now tell when the business would be portunity to evade the financial question, without done; but when the main part of the business should acting upon it definitely, Mr. K. would vote against have been completed, they would know better how his own resolution. to decide. He would, therefore, move that the subject be postponed till Monday next.

Mr Preston hoped the consideration of the resolution would not be postponed. It seemed desirable that the resolution should be passed in order to basten the progress of the business in congress; and looking at the business of the senate, they would undoubtedly be ready to adjourn on the day specified in the resolution; and it was desirable that they should intimate to the other house the state of bu siness here. The whole business of the country, if entered into, might require more time: but it would, in that case, be competent in congress to alter the time. Early in the session the senate had acted on its most important business, and after their great financial measure had been perfected by the senate according to their wishes, they had sent it to the other house, and it was well known that the house had rejected it. Congress had met at the extra session for the express purpose of regulating the finances. At that session, and at this, the senate and the house had both acted on the subject, and it was not known that any further action was now proposed in either house; and Mr. P. did not know that it was the duty of the senate to wait the action of the house on this important matter.

Mr. Hubbard also spoke, briefly, in favor of delay, and of keeping the resolution still before the senate, so that when the proper time should come they might take it up, and pass it as it was, or modified according to circumstances.

Mr. Preston wholly disavowed any such design as had been intimated. His whole object was to put the subject in the possession of the other house, so that they might adopt the resolution or modify it to suit themselves; and he was surprised that the senator from Alabaina should now reject his own offspring because Mr. P. had patted in on the head, and said that notwithstanding is paternity it was a clever child. Mr. P. had often felt his own weakness, when he addressed the senate, and saw that he was unable to make any impression on gentlemen of the opposite side; but now, by advocating a measure, agreeable to them, he had rendered his remarks effective, and had turned the friends of the resolution directly against it. But the purpose of enabling the minori'y to worry out the majority in the other house was not in Mr. P.'s mind, and, if it had been, he would have been acting against himself, for the majority in the other house were his political friends on this question. He insisted, further, that the subtreasury was dead, and no human power could call it

from the tomb, where it had lain more than four
days.

The resolution was now postponed to Monday
week, by the following vote:
YEAS-Messrs. Allen, Benton, Brown, Calhoun,
Clay, of Alabama, Cuthbert, Fulton, Grundy, Hub-
bard, Ki ig, Linn, Lyon, Nicholas, Niles, Norvell,
Roane, Robinson, Snith, of Connecticut, Tipton,
Trotter, Waiker, Wall, Williams, Wright, Young
-25.
NAYS-Messrs. Bayard, Buchanan, Clay, of
Kentucky, Clayton, Crittenden. Divis, Lumpkin,
McKean, Merrick, Prentiss, Preston, Robbins,
S.nith, of Indiana, Southard, Swift, White--16.

On motion of Mr. Will, the senate proceeded again to consider the bill to prohibit the issuing and circulation of the notes of the late United States Bank.

Mr. Niles moved to mo.lify the bill so as to make the time of confinement in the penitentiary from one to five years, instead of from five to ten. Mr. Calhoun noved to strike out the whole penitentiary provision. Mr. Grundy, after a remark or two, understood to be unfavorable to this motion, said he felt no particular interest about it. Mr. Smith, of Connectient, and Mr. Niles spoke briefly, but strongly, in favor of retaining the penitentiary penalty, Mr. S. urging that a fine of $10,000 would amount to nothing in a case in which the profits

were hundreds of thousands.

Mr. Niles and Mr. Calhoun temporarily withdrew their amendments, with a view to give way to the general debate.

Mr. Wall then spoke at some length in favor of the bill, and in vindication of the constitutional power of congress to pass it.

Mr. Niles' proposition to make the penitentiary tern from one to five years, was again offered by him, and agreed to.

After a brief explanatory conversation by Messrs. Crittenden, Wall, Grundy, and Ruggles,

The bill was modified so as to confine the penalty more explicitly to direc'ors, trustees, agents, and other officers, and the agents of the trustees of the late bank of the United States, as before designed to be provided for in the bill.

The bill was further discussed by Messrs. Preston, Prentiss, Smith, of Connecticut, Wall and Niles; and on a request of Mr. Rives for farther time to consider the subject before taking the vote, The senate held an executive session, and then adjourned.

It is stated that this large sum is sent out to New York with a view to aid the banks in resuming. The

Mr. Everett inquired of Mr. Cambreleng when it residue will be here by the packets in succession. was his purpose to call up the bill making appro- £100,000 by each. [Jour. Com priations for the Seminole war. Mr. Cambreleng The whole amount of specie received at New replied that as soon as the house shoul! have dispos- York, in the last few days, is estimated at nearly two ed of the bill for the issue of treasury notes, he millions of dollars, viz: 303,822 sovereigns, 29,000 should call up the Seminole bill. Mr. Everett then dollars, and 2,896,923 francs asked leave to move that the resolution offered by him on Saturday last, calling for information as to the amount of arrears due on that war, and an esti-American adds: imate of its probable expenses up to the 1st of June "It is estimated, by those who have good means of next. Mr. Cushman objected; whereupon, Mr. knowing, that ten millions of dollars will be imported Everett moved a suspension of the rules for that pur- before June 1st, and that, without reducing the pose, and demanded the yeas and nays, which were amount of bullion in the Bank of England below ten ordered. million pounds sterling-as the tendency of gold was constant fro:n the continent to England.”

The yeas and nays were taken accordingly, and resulted as follows:

From the New York Express.

YEAS-Messrs. A lams, Alexander, Heman Allen,
A notice was put up in front of Prime, Ward &
John W. Allen, Bell, Bond, Borden, Briggs, Bynum,
W. B. Calhoun, John Calhoon, Cambreleng, W. B. King's office this morning, that arrangements had
Campbell, John Campbell, W. B. Carter, Chambers, been made by the Bank of England and Baring,
Cheatham, Clowney, Coffin, Corwin, Cranston, Curtis, Brothers & co., through the agency of Messrs. Primes
Graff, Buan, Everett, Ewing, R. Fletcher, Fillmore, don, to import one million of pounds sterling in spe
Cushing, Darlington, Dawson, Davies, Deberry, De and their partner. Mr. James G. King, now in Lon-
ham, Graves, Griffin, Halsted, Harlan, Harper, Has of this sum, 500,000 dollars have arrived since Satur-
Rice Garland, Giascock, James Graham, Wm. Gracie, to enable our banks to resume specie payments;
tings, Hawes, Haynes. Henry, Herod, Howard, R. M. day. The notice has excited quite a sensation in the
T. Hanter, Ingham, Jabez Jackson, Lincoln, Loomis, street. Enquiries are now made how this has been
Lyon, Mallory, Marvin, S Mason, Maury, May, Max- obtained; what banks are particularly interested; and
well, McKeanan, Mercer, Milligan, Mitchell, Calvary how have funds been placed in London to pay;
Morris, Murray, Naylor, Noves, Orle, Paterson, all these points are important, if the specie is
Pearce, Peck, Pope, Pors, Randolph, Reed, Rencher,
Ridgway, Robertson, Ruinsey, Russell, A. H. Shep really going into the vaults of the banks to enable
Perd, Shields, Sibly, Sivler, Sathgate, Sanly, Stone, them to resume.
Stratton, Taliaferro, Tillinghast, Toland, Underwood, The New York Gazette states that it is surmised
S. Williams, J. L. Williams, C. H. Williams, Yorke large remittance of specie to this country, is for the
A. S. White, John White, E. Whittlesey, L. Williams, that the object of the Bank of England in sending this
NAYS-Messrs. Andrews, Atherton, Beatty, Beirne, Purpose of establishing an agency in New York, as
Bicknell. Birdsall, Boon, Buldin, Broadhead, Bronson, an offset to that of the United States Bank in Lon-
Casey, Chapman, Coles Connor, Craig, Crary, Cush-don, and of which the Bank of England is particulary
man, Dromgoole, Edwards, Farrington, Fairfield, Fry, jealous.
Gray, Haley, Hamer, Harrison, Hawkins, Thomas B. In New York on Friday 13th inst., Philadelphia
Jackson, J. Jackson, N. Jones, J. W. Jones, Keim, bank notes were selling at five per cent. discount.
son, Martin, R. M. McClellan, A. McClellan, Montsippi thirty-five; on Alabama, twenty-five.
Kingensmith, Lawler, Leadbetter, Logan, J. M. Ma- Bills on Baltimore six per cent. discount; on Missis-
gomery, Morgan, Samuel W. Morris, Noble, Owens,
Paliner, Parmenter, Paynter, Pennybacker, Petrikin,
Phelps, Pickens, Prentiss, Rhett, Richardson, Sawyer,
Shefer, C. Shepard, Spencer, Suart, Taylor, Titus,
Towns, Turney, Vanderveer, Webster, Weeks, J. W.
Williams, Worthington, Yell-70.

-101.

There not being two-thirds in the affirmative, the notion to suspend the rules was lost, and Mr. Everettt's call for information was not allowed to be moved.

Mr. Lincoln moved that the house go into comIn the house, Thursday, April 19. After a number mittee of the whole on the bill respecting the new of reports, chiefly on private claims, had been re-treasury building; but the motion was objected to, ceived, the house passed to the unfinished business and the house refused to suspend the rules for the of yesterday morning, being Mr. Hopkins' resolu- purpose. So the notion was rejected. tion for divorcing the government from the public press.

The house then passed to the unfinished business of yesterday, and resumed the consideration of the Cuinberland road bill.

Sales of the New Yark stock exchange, April 17. 50 shares U. S. Bank, s 30 days,

113

300 do
225 do Amer. Trust co. Balto.
25 do
do
s 30 days,
April 18.

do

114a114 1-2 95 1-2396 96

115a115 1-2

330 shares U. S. Bank,

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do do 8 30 days, 25 do Amer. Trust. Balto. Specie. American gold, &c. 3-4a1 per cent. premium. Sales of 100 patriot doubloons at $15 65 Treasury notes. 3-8a1-8 per cent. discount. Canada. We learn from the Toronto Colonist of the 12th inst. that on that day at 8 o'clock, A. M. Samuel Lount and Peter Matthews were executed,

An im

mense concourse of people were present, by whom the greatest order was observed. The square in rear of the goal, on which the scaffold was erected, was surrounded by the volunteer corps of provincial militia, now stationed in Toronto.

Mr. Wise rose and said, that since the publication in the papers of the amendment yesterday moved Mr. Underwood, who had the floor at the adjourn-in pursuance of their sentence, for high treason.— by his colleagne, (Mr. Dromgoole,) to the amendment, resumed and concluded his speech against the They walked with a firm step to the scaffold, and ment of his other colleague, (Mr. Hopkins.) he per- bill, and in favor of his amendinent to recommit. after an impressive prayer by the Rev. Mr. Richardceived, what he did not know yesterday, that it re- Mr. Cushing, of Massachusetts, went into an ex-son, they were launched into eternity. ferred to the expenses of the two investigating com- tended argument in reply, and in defence of the mittees which had been instituted at the last session. bill. Mr. Rhett, of South Carolina, spoke with great He then proceeded to cominent at considerable ardor in opposition to the measure, and was follength on this point in the amendment, vindicating lowed by Mr. Calhoon, of Kentucky, as decidedly the appointment of those committees, inviting in in its favor. Mr. Clowney obtained the floor, but vestigation as to their expense, and insisting that the yielded it, for the purpose of an explanation, to Mr. good they had effected overbalanced, by far, what Underwood, who was proceeding to answer his colleague, (Mr. Calhoon,) when, alluding to an amendment proposed by himself to the constitution, and glancing at the subject of slavery

they had cost the country.

Mr. Dromgoole replied; disclained all intention to reflect on those committees, or their appointment; but said that his amendment was mainly directed to the additional expense occasioned by the exercise of the power of sending for persons and papers. He then went into an explanation and defence of the several items in his amendment.

Mr. Garland, of Virginia, obtained the floor, and then the morning hour expired.

A communication was received from the acting secretary of war, enclosing a report fron the commissioner of Indian affairs, in answer to a resolution of the house of the 26th ultimo, relative to the destruction of property of the late gen. Nathaniel Taylor, by the Cherokee Indians.

He was arrested by the chair. He asked leave to proceed; but the chair still insisting on the rule of order, he appealed to the house. The ayes for his proceeding were 94. But, before the toes were counted, the chair also appealed to the house to Some confusion arose, when, support its rules.

On motion of Mr. Clowney, the house adjourned.

MISCELLANEOUS.

From Mexico. The New Orleans Transcript of the 11th inst. says:

"Two French brigs of war visited Matamoras on the 24th ult. and sent a deputation up to the town to assure the French citizens of the protection of their government, and that if the Mexican government should not comply satisfactorily, by the 25th instant, with requisitions already made the ports of the republie will be blockaded. One thousand of the Mexican troops, under Canalizo, were about to leave the place,

Also, a communication from the acting secretary of war, enclosing the memorial of inhabitants of Knightstown, in the state of Indiana, praying congress to provide for the construction of a bridge across Blue river, at that place, with the report of the chief engineer thereon; which memorial was re ferred to this department on the 17th of February-destination unknown.

last.

Specie by wholesale. We learn that arrangements Also, a communication from the secretary of the have been made by the Bank of England, in connectreasury, transmitting a portion of the information tion with Messrs. Baring, Brothers & co., and Mr. called for by the house on the 9th of April instant, James G. King, of this city, to send out to the adin relation to the amount of revenue received in dress of Messrs. Prime, Ward & King, one million each state in the year 1836, and the amount expend-sterling in specie. Two hundred thousand pounds ed during the same year. have arrived by the Sheridan and Columbus, and the

A correspondent of the Albany Evening Journal says, that petitions had been sent to gov. Arthur for mercy, or even an extension, signed by some three thousand citizens of Toronto and its vicinity; the executive council had been called together, but naught availed to stay execution. The bodies, notwithstanding the earnest application of their wives and friends, were delivered up for dissection. The affair is said to have created much excitement.

It is stated that Theller, Montgomery, Anderson, and G. F. Warden are to be executed on the 24th inst.

Sentence of death was pronounced at Hamilton, in the Gore district, upon Horatio Hill, Stephen Smith, Charles P. Waldrath, Ephraim Cook, John Trufford, Nathan Town, and Peter Malcolm-day of execution the 20th instant.

Also, upon William Webb and John Hammill-execution to take place on the 2d instant.

The Toronto Guardian states that Theller found

ed his defence chiefly on the assertion that he was an American citizen, which was overruled on the ground that he was born a British subject, and could not divest himself of his allegiance.

The same paper says that the case of Sutherland remained undecided on the 11th; and intimates doubt of the rumors put forth about his extraordinary disclosures.

court informed him that for reasons assigned his In passing sentence upon Peter Malcolm, the case would be favorably represented to the execu tive.

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PRINTED AND published, EVERY SATURDAY, BY WILLIAM OGDEN NILES, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR, at $5 PER ANNUM, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE.

1

We have inadvertently copied from the "Globe" the report of the majority of the commit-District. tee appointed to investigate the causes of the late duel, under an impression that we would have been able to have accompanied it with the reports presented by Messrs. Grennell and Elmore, and the final action of the house upon the subject. This not being the case, it becomes necessary, in order to avoid the imputation of concurrence with the majority, to say, that the report has not been adopted-that it has not even been printed by order of the house, and that the whole matter is still under consideration.

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144 134

Total,

For Kennedy

*6 Marriott

The average majority given for the Van Buren party at the last July election, for representatives in congress, was 124.

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It is not often that, even through inadvertence, we have presented a one-sided view of a question, and would have avoided it in the present instance, if we could have done so without greatly delaying the appearance of the present sheet. We will, of course, publish the other reports as soon as they are directed to be published, and give such parts of the testimony BANKS, CURRENCY, &c. The New York Comand the debate as shall do full justice to all the par-mercial Advertiser of Monday afternoon says — Nashville, April 20, 4 P. M. Money matters ties concerned. "Some of the banks of this city commenced pay-grow worse. The depreciation on the notes of the ing out their notes on Friday and Saturday last. Mississippi banks is enormous, and we were told by This morning they are doing so very generally, and the brokers this morning that large sums of this desalthough the resolution for a resumption of specie cription of paper could not be sold at any sacrifice payments is not yet formally in force, still specie short of one third or one half of the amount. Small can be obtained, if wanted, from any of them. The lots are discounted at the following rates: banks have all resolved to resume on the 9th of May, rail road, 20 a 25; Bank of Vicksburg, 25; VicksNatchez bank and branches, 20 a 25; Vicksburg and we rather suspect that they intend to do so on Monday next, albeit not authorized thus to speak." burg water co. 25; Brandon 35; Tombigby, Columbus, 25; Commercial, Columbus, 25; Madison city bank 25; Lake Washington 30; Real estate, Holly springs, no sales; Manchester 25. Other funds as follows:

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The same paper of Wednesday afternoon has the following:

New custom house order. We understand that instructions were received this m ruing, authorising the collector of customs in this city to receive all the notes of the city banks, of those who do not issue paper of a less denomination than five dollars. The fifth section of a recent law prevents the receipt of such notes. The banks in this city which have not availed themselves of the late law of this state are the Manhattan, Bank of America, and the Bank of the State of New York.

The Express of Wednesday says

U. S. Bank, 16 a 17 pre.; Specie, 16 a 17 pre.; Kentucky, 15 pre.; Virginia, 15 pre.; New Orleans, 10 a 12 pre.; Indiana, 12 pre.; Illinois, 10 pre.; Carolinas and Georgia, 5 a 8 pre., Alabama, par a 2 pre.

MEXICO. The editors of the New York "Journal

of Commerce" have received Vera Cruz papers to the 31st March, brought by the Pastora.

The Diario del Gobierno of the 26th, published at the Mexican capital says,-"At a quarter past 10 The Mechanics', the Merchants', the New York, o'clock, this morning, the supreme government rethe Commercial and the State Banks, have comeceived the ultimatum announced by the French minforward and pay out their notes freely for every check ister, Baron Deffandis, and this evening it will be presented, and pay any demand on them for specie communicated to congress. We will speak to-morrow, with great cheerfulness. We are told also, that they and will continue to speak in all our numbers on a are liberal in their discounts. Several of the other topic of so great national interest, and which the gobanks do not pay out their bills, which is to be re-vernment has managed, and without doubt will congretted, as the community are suffering beyond all tinue to manage, in a manner which shall satisfy the reason for the want of a circulating medium. Many desire and expectations of the Mexicans." of the banks have not a dollar in circulation, or that can be got hold of. Thus for months and months the citizens of New York have not seen a dollar of our own bank notes. Every bill has been, as fast as it has reached the bank, clutched with eagerness, not again to be put in circulation. Many of the banks have not only hoarded up their own bills, but have in their possession large amounts of their neighbor's bank notes. But now the banks, if they have any real wish, as they must have to make It was very sickly in the Mexican capital. Fever money plenty, must come out at once, and not only was one of the most prevalent diseases. issue their notes, but discount freely, so as to redis-lieve the community. The instant money becomes plenty there will be but little call for specie.

The following is believed to be a correct statement of the result:

5,337

John P. Kennedy, (whig) W. H. Marriott, (adm.)
Baltimore city,
Anne Arundel,
820
Annapolis city,

5,957
1,052
10 (maj.)
7,019

6,157

Mr. Kennedy's majority in the district 862. The following statements show the results in each of the wards in the city of Baltimore, and in the tricts of Anne Arundel county.

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The bills of all the city banks of New York are now received at that post office for postage.

The New York Journal of Commerce, of Monday, second edition, says, "The banks have all resumed specie payments in the broadest extent, bills, deposits and all; and more than that, they pay out their own notes only."

It is also stated in the Journal of Commerce that a loan of a million of dollars has been negotiated in New York for Tennessee, within a few days, and one of $600,000 for Ohio.

We find the following in the New York Courier and Enquirer in relation to the Boston banks.

"We learn by gentlemen, passengers in yesterday's boat, from Boston, that a meeting of the officers of the banks of that city, held on Friday evening, it was resolved to redeem all their notes of the denomination of five dollars and under, and that the resolution was carried into effect on Saturday, the banks on that day paying specie for all their paper presented. Virtually, the resumption is considered entire, as it is understood that the banks will furnish any amount of specie for ordinary business purposes, and no demand for any other can be anticipated, at present.”

By mercantile letters we learn that the French ultimatum contained the following hard terms, viz: that the Mexicans should pay $600,000 for claims, and $55,000 to the families of five Frenchmen who had been shot by order of the authorities, and that the government should cashier two judges at Mexico, one at Puebla; and Gomez, commandant at Tampico. If these terms were not complied with by the 15th of April, hostilities were to commence.

Efforts were made to raise the brig of war Libertador, which, during the gale in December last, was driven against the castle of Uloa, and sunk.

EXAMINATION OF MIDSHIPMEN. Navy Department, April 25, 1838. A board for the examination of midshipmen whose warrants bear date prior to the 1st day of January, 1833, will be convened at Baltimore on Monday, the 28th of May next.

titled to examination under the regulation of the deIt is expected that all midshipmen who may be en

partment, will attend at the above mentioned time and place, and report to commodore James Biddle, president of the board.

THE CHEROKEES. The Nashville Whig states that in ordering gen. Scott to the Cherokee country, the secretary of war directed him to call upon the executive of the states of Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia, in the event that he should require an additional force in carrying out the treaty. The department has given notice to governor Cannon, of Tennessee, that such a call may be made, with a request that it may be responded to by his excellency, The governor has replied, by letter, with his accustoined promptness, that the state will be prepared to meet the requisitions

I regret that it becomes my duty to announce to you that these pleasing anticipations are not likely to be realized, and to exhibit to you a much less inviting prospect—a prospect in which our banks will not only have to commence without co-operation in the resumption of specie payments, but will, for some time at least, have to stand alone, and struggle not only with the inevitable difficulties of such a measure, but with others, perhaps, superadded to them, arising from the condition, and possibly from the hostility of non-specie paying banks in other states.

GOVERNOR MARCY'S SPECIAL MESSAGE. | trary, they have so far extended their issues of pa- dispense those accommodations which a wholesome To the senate and assembly: per as materially to diminish its value and render state of business requires. FELLOW-CITIZENS: The time is not far distant it of little use as a medium for the collection of Until very recently, it was generally expected when the banks of this state will resume specie debts due to our citizens. The losses by the course that such would be the course of events. It was payments; and it can now be anticipated with tol- of domestic exchanges, consequent upon the great confidently believed that the period of general reerable certainty, what will be the situation of depreciation in the value of southern and western sumption, at least throughout the eastern, middle, things when this event shall take place. The pe- bank paper, have added to the embarrassments of and some of the western states, was at hand; that riod of resumption has been looked for with much our merchants, and greatly impaired the resources. it would be the beginning of an auspicious change anxiety, and strong hopes have been indulged that Although the suspension, owing to various causes, in our pecuniary affairs; that the gloom which had it would be attended with a highly important im- has operated much more severely in some places so long been gathering and thickening over the provement in the business concerns of the country. than in others, it must be regarded as a common land would thereafter gradually disappear, and we Since the general suspension of specie payments calamity, and its continuance cannot be otherwise should be cheered by a season of wonted pros. in the month of May last, the banks which have than injurious to all sections of the country; it is perity. furnished their monthly statements to the commis- therefore to be regretted that all sections have not sioners have made commendable efforts to put them-felt an equal solicitude for the restoration of our selves in a condition to resume. On the first of currency to a sound condition, and adopted meaJune last, their liabilities amounted to about sixty-sures equally vigorous for producing so desirable a four millions of dollars, while the debt due to them result. Such, however, has not been the course of for loans and discounts exceeded sixty-seven mil- proceeding on the part of all. Indeed, it is now lions. From that period to the present time, a no longer a matter of doubt that the movement course of rapid curtailment has been steadily pur- here, in relation to resuming payments in specie, sued, so that their liabilities on the first of the pre- must be made without the co-operation of any sent month were but fifty-three millions, and their other state. loans and discounts were less than fifty-six mil. I have not been able to discover any adequate lions. By this process of reduction, the condition reason why the banks in some of the other states, of our banks has been greatly improved, and their and particularly in the Atlantic cities, could not Surrounded on all sides, as we shall be, by banks ability to meet and sustain specie payments, is now have been in as favorable a condition to resume as emitting irredeemable paper, it is not perhaps unfully equal to what it has been at any former pe- our own. The main causes which led to the sus- charitable to indulge a fear that they may consult riod. This remark is particularly applicable to pension have for some time ceased to operate, and their own interest by making efforts to embarrass the banks in the city of New York, where, amidst others of an opposite tendency are exerting a bene- and circumscribe the operations of our institutions a general depression of business, the most rigorous ficial influence in restoring the currency to a heath- with a view of securing to themselves the benefits and praiseworthy efforts have been put forth to pre-ful state. The commercial debt abroad, which was of an extensive circulation of their bills in this pare for an early and successful resumption. The large at the period of suspension, and the pressing state. In this manner we may be deprived of a institutions in that city have, during the suspension demand for which was one of the principal causes sufficient supply of a sound currency, and in our of specie payments, reduced their liabilities inore of that calamity, is now mostly paid off or arranged; necessities be forced to use their depreciated paper than six and a half millions of dollars. Their spe- foreign exchanges are decidedly in our favor; the and thereby minister to their interest .hile they are cie during the same period has increased from about precious metals instead of being in demand for ex-persisting, contrary to good policy and in violation $1,800,000, to more than $3,500,000, to which, in portation, are coming into the country in great of their own obligations, in holding themselves in estimating their ability to meet their engagements, abundance from every quarter. an irredeemable state. But assuming, as it is proshould be added about one million and a half of In a state of things so favorable to a general re- per perhaps that we should do, that the refusal of dollars purchased and ordered from abroad, and ex-sumption, it can scarcely be doubted that with pro- the banks of other states to unite with ours in repected to arrive early in the ensuing month. The per preparatory measures the banks in most parts suming, is owing to a convention on their part that banks throughout the state which have made re- of the union, if they had been in concert, or with they are not in a condition to sustain themselves in ports to the commissioners, have reduced their lia- reference to the general prosperity of the country, that measure, they will undoubtedly avail thembilities more than eleven millions of dollars, their might have been in a situation to resume specie pay- selves of the means which the resumption in this loans and discounts about the same amount, and ments as early as the period fixed on for that pur- state will afford them, to recover from their weaktheir circulation from about nine millions of dollars pose by the banks of this state. It is not to be de-ness, and transfer to themselves the resources which to about four millions. nied that these preparatory measures, whenever re- our institutions have, at considerable expense, proThe banking institutions of this state are there-sorted to, must lead to a temporary increase of em-vided for their own security. Banks that persistin fore in the best condition for a return to the pay-barrassments in most branches of business. While issuing an irredeemable currency will by the use of ment of specie, and appear to be determined, as one place or section of the country submits to the it be enabled to possess themselves of claims against they certainly should be, that no effort on their part sacrifices which result from these unavoidable mea- such as have resumed, and by exacting specie and shall be wanting to place the state and its business sures, for the purpose of removing the evils of a refusing to pay it in satisfaction of demands against interests in the most desirable position. disordered currency, it was to be hoped that other themselves, they will be enabled to impair and The reduction of discounts, the contraction of parts of the union would not be so far misled by eventually exhaust the resources of the latter insticirculation, and the means employed to procure a any narrow views of temporary and local interest, tutions unless they circumscribe within narrow supply of specie-all rendered necessary in pre-as to decline the like sacrifices and refuse a ready limits their accommodations to the public. Situated paring for resumption—have borne heavily upon concurrence in a course of proceeding so essential as our banks are in relation to those in the Atlantic almost all classes of our citizens, and been particu-to the general prosperity. cities which have announced their determination to larly injurious to those branches of business which | For the purposes of this communication, it is not continue the issue of an irredeemable currencyrequired the use of large capitals, or depended upon important to determine the cause or the motive that considering the amount of their capital and their has influenced the conduct of those institutions immense resources and the probable consequences of which have refused to co-operate with ours in the a serious attempt by them confederated and comeasure of resumption. It is now reduced to a operating in favor of the suspension policy, or even moral certainty that there will be no general move by the United States Bank of Pennsylvania alone, ment on this subject, and that the banks of this with a capital much larger than the aggregated state will enter into that measure without the co-capitals of all the banks in the city of New Yorkoperation-and I wish I could say they would be to withdraw the specie which has been collected by permitted to maintain themselves in it without the our institutions as a necessary preparatory step to open or covert hostility-of those which cannot or resumption:-and looking to the deplorable effects will not unite with them or immediately follow their which would result in the remote contingency of example. being obliged by the aggressions of the non-specie paying banks, or other untoward events, to suspend a second time; every consideration of prudence will induce our banks to proceed with the utmost circumspection and to confine their operations with in perfectly safe limits.

credit for success.

Owing to causes alluded to in my message at the opening of the present session, our constituents in all parts of the state shared largely in the distresses which preceded and immediately followed the suspension of specie payments. Such was the case in an especial manner with the citizens of our great commercial emporium. The loss of about fifteen millions of capital by the fire of December, 1835-the interruption of business by the unparalleled commercial revulsion which soon followed that disastrous event-the sudden withdrawal from

deposite, in the midst of all this depression, of ten millions of public money-all having occurred within the space of about twenty-seven months, cooperate with other considerations to induce the legislature to extend its aid in an efficient manner, if it should become necessary, to shield our institutions from threatened hostility, and thereby to protect and foster the general interests of the people. It is also proper to remark, that about three millions of the amount of deposites withdrawn from the banks in the city of New York, were apportioned to the several counties and towns in the state, and loaned to the citizens thereof under the law of the last session in relation to the surplus moneys belonging to the United States.

The suspension law of the last session expires on the 16th of May next, and the banks in the city of New York have determined to resume the payment of all demands against them in specie on the 10th of that month. The country banks of this state are prepared to take the same step at the same time, If there were no other object to answer than the and all classes and interests, it is believed, are rea- success of the attempt to resume, the subject would dy to aid those efforts by a generous confidence and be presented to us in a much less imposing aspect, approval. I do not doubt that our institutions will and interposition by the legislature might not be sustain themselves, whatever may be the course deemed necessary; but if the banks are to continue pursued by the banks in other states; but the effects in their present contracted state after they have reof this measure upon the business concerns of the sumed, and particularly if the circumstances to people of this state, will depend in a great degree which I have alluded, and others of an obvious upon the relation in which our banks will be placed character, are likely to require further contraction in reference to those in other parts of the union; on their part, very few indeed of the benefits which and in an especial manner to those in the neighbor- have been anticipated from a return to specie payThere is also another feature in the case present- ing Atlantic cities. If all, or nearly all the banks ments will be realized. Though they discharge ed by the depressed state of business in the city of in the principal commercial places had resolved, as their obligations in the legal currency, if they conNew York, which should not pass without observa-it was anticipated a short time since they would do, tinue to reduce their discounts, or if they do not tion. A large portion of the trade of that city is to resume at about the same period, and had enter- gradually expand, the public will not be essentially transacted with distant sections of the union. The ed upon that course earnestly, in good faith, and relieved; the laboring classes will look in vain for causes which have operated so extensively to de- with kindly feelings towards each other, they would their accustomed employment; most kinds of agrirange the general currency of the country, have have met with few difficulties; they might probably cultural products will decline in price; our manuproduced the most serious effects in the states south have expected mutual forbearance in any emergen-facturing establishments cannot be put in successful and west. There is reason to believe that the banks cy-and certainly would have had no cause to fear operation; various branches of mechanical business in that vast and important region, have not been hostility from any source whatever. Vigorous and will be deprived of a wholesome degree of encourinfluenced in an equal degree by the considerations united efforts among themselves would have accel-agement; trade will continue in its present depresswhich have controlled our institutions and brought lerated the return of public confidence, and with it ed condition; the disorders of the currency will be them into a sound condition; but that, on the con- they would have been at once in a condition to but partially removed, and the immoral practices

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