Register of Debates in Congress

JAN. 9, 1832.1

Bank of the United States.

[SENATE.

take it into consideration, and report upon it. This, he Unless the question is decided by the present Congress, could assure the gentleman, would be done by the Fi-no definitive action upon it can be expected until within nance Committee, whether it was referred to them now two years of the expiration of the charter--a period beor not. He, therefore, looked upon the debate upon the fore which, in the opinion of your memorialists, it is reference to be entirely useless-a mere exchange of highly expedient, not merely in reference to the instituwords without import-mere dalliance. tion itself, but to the more important interests of the na

He said that the bill would also affect the trade be- tion, that the determination of Congress should be known. tween the United States and the Indian tribes; it would, Independently of the influence which the bank was detherefore, be necessary to be taken into consideration by signed to possess, and which it necessarily exercises over the Committee on Indian Affairs, that it might be ascer- the state of the currency, by which all the pecuniary tained whether the proposed reduction could be made transactions of the community are regulated, its own imwithout injury to those engaged in the Indian trade; but mediate operations are connected intimately with the local the question of reference he looked upon as a mere sha- business of almost every section of the United States, with dow-as perfect moonshine. the commercial interchanges between the several States, Mr. CLAY said that he did not rise to enter into a dis- and the intercourse of them all with foreign nations. cussion of the question of reference, but in consequence Of the value to the community of the system which, of information given by the chairman of the Committee after long and anxious efforts, and at great pecuniary on Finance, some ten days ago, in relation to a report sacrifices, your memorialists have at length succeeded in which that gentleman had stated it was the intention of establishing, it is not for them to speak; their more imthat committee to submit to the Senate before this time. mediate purpose is to represent, as they do, most respectHe rose to inquire whether that report might be expect-fully, that the continuance or destruction of that system, ed. He had understood the gentleman to say, two weeks thus widely diffused through all the avenues of the prosince, that they might expect, on the Monday following, ductive industry of the country, affecting all the relations a general scheme of imposts, adapted to the wants of the of public revenue and private income, and contributing to country when the public debt should be discharged. give stability to all the rewards of labor, is an object of Mr. SMITH replied that he did, at the time referred general solicitude. If, satisfied with the practical operato, hope to be able to submit the report before this time; tions of the institution, your honorable body shall deem it but that there were some of the committee who were not worthy of continuance, it seems expedient to relieve the willing to submit it until they had received further infor- country, as soon as may consist with mature deliberation, mation on the subject; to obtain which, they had address- from the uncertainty in which all private transactions, and ed a letter of inquiry to the Secretary of the Treasury; all public improvements, dependent on the future conand they also expected a report from the convention of dition of the currency, and amount of capital disposable New York. He could not tell when the required infor- for those objects, must necessarily be involved until your mation would be received, and, consequently, did not decision is known. If, on the other hand, the wisdom of know when the report would be ready. Congress shall determine that the bank must cease to exist, The question was then taken on the reference to the it is still more important that the country should begin Committee on Manufactures, and agreed to, by yeas and early to prepare for the expected change, and that the innays, as follows: stitution should have as much time as possible to execute YEAS.-Messrs, Bell, Buckner, Clay, Dallas, Dicker-the duty, always a very delicate and difficult one, of aidson, Dudley, Ewing, Foot, Frelinghuysen, Hendricks, Holmes, Johnston, Knight, Marcy, Naudain, Prentiss, Robbins, Robinson, Ruggles, Seymour, Silsbee, Tomlinson, Waggaman, Webster, Wilkins.-25.

NAYS.--Messrs. Benton, Bibb, Brown, Ellis, Forsyth, Grundy, Hayne, Hill, King, Mangum, Miller, Moore, Smith, Tazewell, Tipton, Troup, Tyler, White.--18. After the consideration of a number of private bills, The Senate adjourned to Monday.

MONDAY, JANUARY 9.

BANK OF THE UNITED STATES.

Mr. DALLAS presented the following memorial from the President, Directors, and Company of the Bank of

the United States:

ing the community to seek new channels of business, and,
by gradual and gentle movements, to press with the least
inconvenience on the great interests connected with it.
Under these impressions, they respectfully request that
the charter of the bank may be renewed.
By order of the Board of Directors:

N. BIDDLE, President. Mr. DALLAS said, that being requested to present this document to the Senate, praying for a renewal of the existing charter of the bank, he begged to be indulged in making a few explanatory remarks. With unhesitating frankness, he wished it to be understood by the Senate, by the good commonwealth which it was alike his duty and his pride to represent with fidelity on that floor, and by the people generally, that this application, at this time, had been discouraged by him. Actuated mainly, if not tical benefits of the institution, the expediency of bringexclusively, by a desire to preserve to the nation the pracing it forward thus early in the term of its incorporation, The memorial of the President, Directors, and Com- during a popular representation in Congress, which must pany of the Bank of the United States, in the name and cease to exist some years before that term expires, and in behalf of the stockholders of the bank, respectfully on the eve of all the excitement incident to a great politirepresentscal movement, struck his mind as more than doubtful. That the charter of the bank being about to expire He felt deep solicitude and apprehension lest, in the proon the 4th of March, 1836, your memorialists deem it gress of inquiry, and in the development of views, untheir duty to invite the attention of Congress to its renewal. der present circumstances, it might be drawn into real The general considerations which caused the establish- or imagined conflict with some higher, some more favorite, ment of the bank, the manner in which it has executed some more immediate wish or purpose of the American the duties assigned to it, and the reasons which recom- people.

To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States in Congress assembled:

mend its continuance, your memorialists forbear to discuss, And from such a conflict, what sincere friend of this since, of these subjects, your honorable bodies are more useful establishment would not strive to save or rescue it competent and appropriate judges. They will therefore by at least a temporary forbearance and delay? Nevermerely state the views which induce their application at theless, his conscious inexperience in the forms and conthis time. tingencies of legislation inspired a distrust of his own

SENATE.]

The Tariff-Navy Agents.--Commissioners of the Navy.

judgment on this merely preliminary point. The determination of the parties interested may be, nay, must be, wiser and better; and he could not but feel strongly impressed by the recollection that the Legislature of Pennsylvania recently, and, in effect, unanimously, had recommended the renewal of the charter of the bank. He became, therefore, a willing, as he was virtually an instructed agent, in promoting, to the extent of his humble ability, an object which, however dangerously timed its introduction might seem, was in itself, as he conceived, entitled to every consideration and favor.

Mr. D. concluded by moving that the memorial be read, and be referred to a select committee of five in number, and that the committee have power to send for persons and papers.

[JAN. 9, 1832.

pay or allowances whatsoever, shall be annually as follows, and payable quarter-yearly, viz.

To the navy agent at Portsmouth, N. H., $1,300. To the navy agent at Charlestown, Mass., $3,500. To the navy agent at Brooklyn, New York, $3,500. To the navy agent at Philadelphia, $2,000. To the navy agent at Baltimore, Md., $1,500. To the navy agent at Washington, D. C., $2,500. To the navy agent at Norfolk, Virginia, $3,800. To the navy agent at Charleston, S. C., $500. To the navy agent at Savannah, Georgia, $250. To the navy agent at Pensacola, Florida, $2,500. SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That, from and after the passage of this act, the commander of the navy yard at the city of Washington shall cease to act as navy agent; and that portion of the act of the 27th of March, 1804, which made it his duty so to do, shall be, and the same is hereby, repealed; and a separate and permanent agent shall be appointed, as in other cases, in the same manMr. BELL said he was not aware of any reason for ner, and under the same responsibilities, and to be gothe postponement; and as none had been assigned for it,verned by the same laws and regulations which now he could perceive no propriety in the postponement. It are, or may hereafter be, adopted for other navy agents. would, also, be a thing unprecedented in the Senate; and And it shall be his duty to act as agent, not only for the unless some reasons were adduced in favor of the post-navy yard in this city, but for the Navy Department, under ponement, he should prefer that the Senate should, ac- the direction of the Secretary thereof, in the payment of cording to its usage, proceed at once to the appointment of the committee.

The memorial having been read, and the reference agreed to,

Mr. DALLAS moved that the appointment of the committee be postponed till to-morrow.

The question being put on the postponement, it was negatived-yeas 15, nays 24.

The Senate then proceeded to ballot for the committee, and the following gentlemen were chosen to compose it, viz. Mr. DALLAS, Mr. WEBSTER, Mr. EwING, Mr. HAYNE, and Mr. JOHNSTON.

THE TARIFF.

such accounts and claims as the said Secretary may direct.

Mr. HAYNE read a document from the Navy Department, which showed the reasons on which the bill was founded. The allowances now are various, and have grown up during a long time, and are of doubtful legality. They have also exceeded the estimates of every year, and there are now large claims on the department in favor of different agents. To remove the inconvenience and uncertainty of the present allowances, and to afford to the Mr. CLAY laid on the table the following resolution: navy agents a compensation proportioned to their services, Resolved, That the existing duties upon articles import-this bill was framed. The second section put the navy ed from foreign countries, and not coming into competi-agency of Washington on the same footing with other tion with similar articles made or produced within the agencies. This last measure had been delayed, because United States, ought to be forthwith abolished, except it was not thought of sufficient importance to adopt it as the duties upon wines and silks, and that they ought to a separate measure; but as other agencies were now to be be reduced; and that the Committee on Finance be in-regulated, this agency was embraced in the bill. The bill was then ordered to a third reading. structed to report a bill accordingly.

The bill for the erection of barracks, quarters, and storehouses, and the purchase of a site, in the vicinity of New Orleans, was considered as in Committee of the Whole; the blank in the bill was, on motion of Mr. JOHNSTON, filled with the words "one hundred and twelve thousand dollars," to carry the provisions of the act into effect; it was then reported to the Senate, and ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.

COMMISSIONERS OF THE NAVY.

The bill to provide for the distribution of the duties of the commissioners of the navy was taken up for consideration. Mr. HAYNE said this bill was recommended by the Navy Department with a view to divide the duties of the board among its several members, instead of requiring as, under the present law, the joint action of the board [A good deal of debate took place on this bill, growing upon every subject. It also authorized the President to One clause out of some objections to it on the part of Mr. FORSYTH, make other regulations respecting the board. has been introduced by the Secretary of the Navy, the not to the object, if it could be shown to be necessary, but because nothing appeared on the face of the bill to object of which was to give the board the power to exshow where the barracks were to be placed, or that the tend the time or alter the manner of fulfilling navy controops could not, for all the defensive purposes of the This provision was thought to be necessary for city, be as well quartered in the fortifications erected in the purpose of settling a difference of opinion which had the neighborhood of the city; and because, moreover, arisen between the board and the Fourth Auditor as to the the Senate was in possession of no information to show powers of the board. To explain the operation of the that it was the intention of the Government to keep a per-clause, he read a report upon the petition of Nathaniel manent force at the city of New Orleans, requiring the Bryce, a contractor, from which it appeared that the peerection of permanent barracks, &c. The objections of titioner had an equitable claim upon the department, Mr. F. were replied to by Mr. BENTON, chairman of the Military Committee. He was answered also, and the bill strenuously supported by Mr. JOHNSTON, Mr. CLAY, and Mr. WAGGAMAN.]

NAVY AGENTS.

The Senate next resumed the consideration of the following bill:

tracts.

which the accounting officers would not pay, because the power of the board to allow an extension of the time for the fulfilment of the contract had been brought into doubt by a decision of the Attorney General.

Mr. CHAMBERS asked whether the repeal of the law authorizing the establishment of the board, which forms a clause of the bill, does not abolish the board. He was unwilling to legislate these valuable officers out of Be it enacted, &c. That, from and after the first day of office, and he suggested whether a bill could not be June next, the compensation to each permanent navy drawn, which would be free from this objection, and at agent, in full of per centage, clerk hire, rent, and all other

the same time meet the objects in view.

JAN. 10, 1832.]

The Tariff-Bank of the United States.-Public Expenditures.

Mr. HAYNE doubted whether the construction put upon the first section by the gentleman was correct; but whatever might be the legal effect of the clause, it was not the intention of the department or of the committee to legislate the present commissioners out of office. was not unwilling, however, to strike out the first section,

and alter the second section.

[SENATE.

BANK OF THE UNITED STATES. Mr. BENTON submitted the following motions: rected to furnish the Senate with the names and titles of Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be dithe foreign stockholders in the Bank of the United States, if any document in his office will afford that information; the bank aforesaid, and lay it before the Senate as soon as and, if not, to endeavor to obtain that information from

Mr. CHAMBERS moved an amendment accordingly; and suggested that, if it was thought expedient hereafter to fill the vacancies occurring in the board by nominating possible, with the amount of stock held by each. its members to the Senate, the object might be provided to lay before the Senate information, first, of the amount Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate be directed

for in a distinct section.

of debt due from individuals and bodies corporate to the Mr. FOOT could not conceive, he said, how a bill, of seven sections, could be required for the purposes pro- the amount secured by mortgage from that secured by Bank of the United States and its branches, distinguishing posed. In one section the whole object of the bill could be provided for. He moved that the bill lie on the table, personal security alone; and what portion of said debts for the purpose of further investigation. This motion he are considered as standing accommodations to the customers of said bank and its branches. withdrew, at the request of Mr. WEBSTER, who drew the attention of the gentle-rected to lay before the Senate a list of the directors of the Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be diman from South Carolina to the provision of the sixth Bank of the United States, and of the several branches, section of the bill. These contracts are made by the and a statement of the stock held by citizens of the United navy board; and this section provides that the board shall have power to extend the time for the fulfilment of States, with the number of shares held by each, and the the contracts, and to fix the manner in which the conState or Territory of their residence; also, the amount of specie, according to their last return, in the vaults of the bank and its branches, distinguishing the part which beand to the United States. longs to the bank, the portion belonging to individuals,

tracts should be executed. Now he never entertained

the least doubt that those who made the contract necessarily had the power to alter its terms. He thought, also, that the powers of the board should not be limited, in the terms of the bill, to the extension of the time of the con-rected to lay before the Senate the monthly statements of Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be ditracts, and the manner of their execution; but that the the affairs of the Bank of the United States for the year power to alter the terms of the contract should be made 1831.

commensurate with the former to make the contracts. He suggested, also, that if the bill was passed giving this power to one department of the Governinent, it would be found necessary to give it to all others.

PUBLIC EXPENDITURES.

The bill for the erection of barracks, quarters, and storehouses, and the purchase of a site, in the vicinity of New Orleans, was read the third time, passed, and sent to the other House. When this bill was put on its passage,

Mr. HAYNE held the same opinion in regard to the construction of the law which was advanced by the gentleman from Massachusetts. But that opinion cannot prevail. There must be legislation on the subject, in Mr. SMITH, of Maryland, rose to offer some remarks consequence of the Attorney General. He did not object in reply to assertions which had been made by gentlemen to the proposition of the Senator from Connecticut to on a former occasion, touching the public expenditures. postpone the bill for the purpose of investigation. He He began by saying he was in favor of the present bill, moved that the bill be postponed to, and made the order because it appropriated money for an object essential to of the day for Friday next. The motion prevailed, and The Senate then adjourned.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10.

THE TARIFF.

The resolution submitted yesterday by Mr. CLAY being taken up,

morrow.

the interests of a weak part of the Union; and no fear of censure for increasing the annual expenditure of the nation would deter him from supporting measures which he considered necessary and conducive to the public welfare. Our duty, said Mr. S., is paramount to every consideration of this kind. I care not whether the expenses of the present administration have, or have not, exceeded that of any other administration; my sole view is to provide for what is necessary, and the provisions of this bill appear to me to be of this character.

Mr. CLAY said that the gentleman from Maryland, the chairman of the Committee on Finance, having expressed a wish not to have the resolution acted upon to-day, he On a late occasion, said Mr. S., a bill in which I felt a would not ask the Senate to go into the consideration of deep interest, was rejected on the ground that it increased it at this time. But from his extreme desire for the early the public expenses. It did not. It merely authorized an expression of the opinion of the Senate on the proposi- appropriation of two hundred thousand dollars per annum, tion, and for the views and wishes of those gentlemen instead of the annual sum of one hundred thousand dollars, who might oppose the resolution, he wished its conside- and would have enabled the Executive to arm the fortifiration with as little delay as possible, and suggested cations in ten instead of twenty years. The argument was whether it might not be made the order of the day for to- then urged, that the annual expenses of the Government went on increasing. The Senator from Missouri [Mr. BENTON] distinctly said "that the expenditures of the Government had nearly doubled since he took a seat in the Senate." This assertion was considered essentially correct by the Senator from South Carolina, [Mr. HAYNE.] Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary be in- The assertion thus broadly made by Senators of such high structed to inquire into the expediency of so amending standing, and generally so very correct—by Senators who the judiciary act, as to authorize the judges of the dis- are so highly appreciated, could not fail to have great trict courts, in vacation, to order any vessels, cargo, or influence on this body. I confess, Mr. President, that I other property, to be delivered to the claimants, upon then thought they were mistaken, and I answered them bail or stipulation, or to be sold, when necessary, in the guardedly. I did not positively deny the assertion. same manner as the said courts are now authorized to do somewhat doubted my own opinion, when opposed to the in term time.

No objection being made, the resolution was postponed to, and made the special order for to-morrow.

The following motion, yesterday submitted by Mr. TAZEWELL, Was considered and agreed to:

SENATE.]

Public Expenditures.

[JAN. 10, 1832.

did not exceed the sum of twelve and a half millions. But, said the Senator, the expenditures have greatly increased during that period. I told him I thought they had not; and I now proceed to prove, that, with the exception of four years, viz. 1821, 1822, 1823, and 1824, the expenditures of the Government have not increased. I shall endeavor to show the causes of the reduction of expenses during those years, and that they afford no criteria by which to judge of the necessary expenses of Government, and that they are exceptions to the general rate of expenditures, arising from particular causes. But even they exhibit an expenditure far above the one-half of the pre

positive assertions of gentlemen for whom I entertain great souri [Mr. BENTON] had been under some misapprehenrespect. When the Senate adjourned on that day, I re- sion. The Senate are aware of the effect which such an marked to a Senator that I thought those gentlemen had assertion, coming from such high authority, must have committed a great error. He replied that he thought upon the public mind. It certainly had its effect, even their statements correct. This induced me to reflect on upon this enlightened body. I mentioned to an honorathe subject, and to see whether I could not ascertain the ble Senator a few days since, that the average ordinary truth or fallacy of the assertion. I found that the Senator expenditure of the Government for the last nine years [Mr. BENTON] had taken his seat in the Senate at the session of 1821-22; of course the expenditures for the year 1822 were those which he asserted had been nearly doubled since he came into the Senate. I saw how I could obtain the desired information. I caused a statement to be made from the annual reports of the Secretary of the Treasury, from the year 1822 to 1830, both years inclusive. In order to avoid any error in this statement, I sent it to the treasury for the purpose of being minutely examined. It has been returned to me as perfectly correct; and I was referred to the book called "Receipts and Expenditures for the year 1830," lately delivered to each Senator, for a full view of the expenses for a series of sent annual ordinary expenses. years, and I found a perfect accordance with the state- In the year 1822, which was the period when the Senament I had prepared. So that the exposé which I pro- tor from Missouri [Mr. BENTON] took his seat in the pose to give, is, I may truly say, founded on facts, leaving Senate, the ordinary expenses of the Government amountnothing vague or derived from conjecture. The book to ed to the sum of $9,827,643. The expenses of the year which I have alluded, I immediately sent to the Baltimore 1823 amounted to $9,784,154. I proceed, Mr. President, library without inspecting it. I had no idea of looking in to show the cause which thus reduced the ordinary exit for the detailed statement of our expenditures. Every penses during these years. I speak in the presence of Senator has the book, and can, at his leisure, compare it gentlemen, some of whom were then in the House of Rewith the view which I propose to give; in which I flatter presentatives, and will correct me if my recollection myself I shall be able to show that the Senators from should lead me into error. During the session of the Missouri and South Carolina have been mistaken; that the year 1819-'20 the President asked a loan, I think, of five expenses have not nearly doubled, nor increased-in fact, millions, to defray the expenses of the Government, if the expenditure in one year exceed thirteen millions, which he had deemed necessary, and for which estimates the next year falls below that amount; and that the average had, as usual, been laid before Congress. A loan of three expenditure of the last nine years, say 1822 to 1830, both millions only was granted; and, in the next session, another inclusive, amounts only to the sum of twelve million three loan of, I think, seven millions was asked, in order to hundred and seventy thousand four hundred and thirty-enable the Executive to meet the amount of expenses one dollars.

estimated for, as necessary for the year 1821. A loan of A superficial reader, Mr. President, when he looks at five millions was granted, and in the succeeding year the public expenditures, most generally will look at the another loan of five hundred thousand dollars was asked, sum total of each year, and will conclude that the ex- and refused. Congress were dissatisfied that loans should penses have been higher or lower than usual. He has no be required in time of profound peace, to meet the comparticular object in view, and will not give himself the mon expenses of the nation, and they refused to grant the trouble to investigate the causes which create the large or amount asked for in the estimates, although this amount small expenditures of any one year. Thus, he may look at would have been granted if there had been money in the the expenses of 1817, and will find the total amount to treasury to meet them, without resorting to loans. The have been the enormous sum of $40,877,646. He then Committee of Ways and Means (and it was supported by turns to the year 1818, and finds the total expenditures of the House) lessened some of the items estimated for, and that year to amount to the sum of $35,104,875. He takes refused others. No item, except such as was indispensa the year 1819, and finds the expenses only $24,004, 199, and bly necessary, was granted. By the adoption of this concludes in his own mind that the Congress of 1817 and course, the expenditures were reduced, in 1821, to 1818 must have been extravagant in their appropriations $10,723,479, and to the sums already mentioned for the of the public money, and the Executive no better. When, two years, 1822 and 1823, and the current expenses of if he had investigated the subject fully, he would have 1824, $10,330,144. The consequence was, that the treafound that there had been paid in 1817, towards the sury was restored to a sound state, so that Congress was extinguishment of the public debt, the unusual sum of enabled, in the year 1825, to appropriate the full amount $25,423,336, thus reducing the ordinary expenses of the of the estimate. The expenditures of 1824 amounted to Government to the sum of $15,454,609; that, in the year $15,330,144. This large expenditure is to be attributed 1818, there had been paid towards the redemption of the to the payment made to Spain in that year, of $5,000,000 public debt the sum of $21,296,001, thus making the or- for the purchase of Florida. I entertained doubts whether dinary expenditures of the Government amount to the I ought to include this sum in the expenditures, but, on sum of $13,908,673. The expenditure, independently full consideration, I deemed it proper to include it. It of the payment on account of the debt, amounted to may be said that it was an extraordinary payment, and $16,300,273 in the year 1819. This increase arose from such as could not again occur. So is the payment on acvarious causes not necessary to detail. There was paid count of awards under the treaty of Ghent, in 1827 and towards the public debt in the year 1819 the sum of 1828, amounting to $1,188,716. Of the same character, $7,703,926 only. This diminution of payment is attribu- too, are the payments made for the purchase of lands table to the fact that there was little of the principal of the public debt then payable.

I will now come, Mr. President, to my principal object. It is the assertion, "that, since the year 1821, the expenses of the Government had nearly doubled;" and I trust I shall be able to show that the Senator from Mis

from the Indians; for the removal of the Indians; for payments to the several States for moneys advanced during the late war; and a variety of other extraordinary charges on the treasury. The payment on account of the purchase of Florida happened in the last seven years; and if this sum were deducted from the expenditures of 1824,

JAN. 10, 1832.]

Public Expenditures.

[SENATE.

it would exhibit a great reduction in the expenses of the annual average expenditure of the first seven years last seven years, when contrasted with those of the seven amounts to $12,733,337, and of the last seven years to years between 1817 and 1823, both years inclusive. The the sum of $13,103,154-presenting an inconsiderable comparison of average expenses between the first seven increase, which is entirely attributable to the fact that reyears, contrasted with the last seven years, would then ductions had been made in the years 1821, 1822, 1823, amount to $12,733,337 for the first period, and $12,388,868 and 1824, on account of a scanty treasury, which reducfor the latter period; which would show an actual average tions, in the ordinary expenses of the Government, had decrease of $344,469 between these periods. This de- had a tendency to cause an increase of expenditures in crease could be rendered much greater, if the other extra- the succeeding years. These reductions were not savings; ordinary expenditures to which I have referred were also they were a mere temporary diminution of necessary exdeducted in the comparison. The subsequent years be- penditures. The majority of the objects thus reduced, ing years when no deductions were made from the esti- or altogether refused, were, in the subsequent years, promates, it will be seen to vary alternately. In the year 1825, the expenses were

1826,

1827,

1828,

1829,

1830,

$11,490,450

13,062,316

12,653,095

13,296,041
12,660,490
13,229,533

vided for.

It is perfectly fair, Mr. President, to compare a series of years with an equal number of years; but it is neither fair nor just to select one year, and to compare it with another. I speak with reference to the annual ordinary expenditures. Would it be fair towards the late President Monroe, to compare the expenses of the last year of his administraIt may be proper for me to show that the average ex- tion, amounting to $15,330,144, with the first year of Mr. penditures of the Government for these nine years, say Adams's administration, which amounted only to 11,490,549 from 1822 to 1830, both inclusive, amount only to the dollars? Would it be proper to compare the expenditures sum of $12,370,431. A considerable part of these ex- of the last year of Mr. Adams's administration, which penditures has arisen from extraordinary charges on the amounted to $13,296,041, with the first year of President treasury, such as, for the removal of the Indians; the pur-Jackson's administration, which was $12,660,490? Certainchase of their lands; the payment of the States for the ly not. To do so, would be committing an act of political advances made by them during the late war; for property injustice, and yet I have seen this done. But, if you destroyed by the enemy; and for payment of awards un- compare the last year of Mr. Adams's administration with der the first article of the treaty of Ghent, amounting to the second year of President Jackson's, ($12,229,533,) $1,188,716. A navy has been created, and our national little difference in the expenses will be found to exist. flag floats proudly on every sea. Immense fortifications I have, Mr. President, shown to my own satisfaction, have been erected. Arsenals have been built in different and, I trust, to that of the Senate, that the expenses of the parts of the Union, and filled with small arms and the Government have not only not nearly doubled since the munitions of war. The only wonder is, that so much has year 1821-(unless it can be demonstrated that 13,296,041 been done, with such limited expenditures. dollars, being the expenditures in 1828, be nearly double I think I have shown, Mr. President, "that the ex- the sum of $9,827,643, the amount of expenditures of penditures of the Government have not nearly doubled 1822)--have not increased, and, on the contrary, have since the year 1821;" nor do I think that there has been actually decreased. I have taken for the investigation of any increase. If there had been any, the fault would the subject the eight years of the late President Monroe's rest with Congress. administration, the four years of the administration of It has been said, Mr. President, "that the expenses of Mr. Adams, and the two years of President Jackson's the Government increase annually, and go on increasing." administration, to which the accounts are made up at the With a view of testing this assertion, and also of elucidat-treasury; and in this investigation and comparison I have ing the subject, I trust I shall be permitted to institute a carefully avoided every thing of a party complexion. few comparisons. The first will be between the expendi- Having been a member of, and for several years chairman tures of the four years, 1817, 1818, 1819, and 1820, with of the Committee of Ways and Means in the House of those of the four years, 1827, 1828, 1829, and 1830. I Representatives, and having also been chairman of the find, on examination, that the average expenses of the Committee on Finance in the Senate, I consider it an imfirst four years amount to the sum of $14,699,521, and of plied reflection on those committees that they had seen the last four years to the sum of $12,959,790, showing a with indifference the expenses of the Government annudecrease in the public expenditures exceeding a million ally increasing, and actually nearly doubling in nine years. and a half of dollars; thus amply contradicting the asser-I have therefore deemed it incumbent upon me, in partition, that the public expenditures "go on increasing." cular, to make the necessary investigation of this subject, The second comparison I shall make will be between the and to present to the Senate the extensive view I have four years, 1823, 1824, 1825, and 1826, with those of submitted in relation to a matter which has so frequently 1827, 1828, 1829, and 1830. I find that the average been misrepresented, and which I trust will be considered expense of the first four years amounts to the sum of a sufficient apology for having occupied so much of the $12,416,768, and the last four years to $12,959,790, show-time of the Senate. ing an average increase of $543,022, or an annual average increase of $135,755, inconsiderable in amount, and arising from the reduced expenditures in the year 1823, the cause for which has been already stated, and to the payment in 1830 of the Massachusetts militia claim of four hundred and thirty thousand dollars. Were it not for the payment of this latter claim in 1830, the comparison would Years. have shown a different result. The true test is to be 1817 found in comparing the expenditures of the Government 1818 in those years when Congress were not restricted in the 1819 expenditures by reason of a scanty treasury. 1820 The next comparison I offer, will be the expenditures 1821 of the seven years from 1817 to 1823, both years inclusive, 1822 with those of the seven subsequent years, beginning with 1823 the year 1824 to 1830, both inclusive, and I find that the

EXHIBIT, showing the expenditures of the Government of the United States, exclusive of the payments on account of the public debt, from the year 1817 to 1830, both inclusive.