Sidebilder
PDF
ePub
[graphic][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed]

GALES & SEATON'S

Register of Debates in Congress,

TWENTY-SECOND CONGRESS...FIRST SESSION:

FROM DECEMBER 5, 1831, TO JULY 17, 1832.

DEBATES IN THE SENATE.

LIST OF THE SENATORS.

MAINE.-John Holmes, Peleg Sprague.
NEW HAMPSHIRE.-Samuel Bell, Isaac Hill.
MASSACHUSETTS.-Dan'l Webster, Nath'l Silsbee.
RHODE ISLAND.-N. R. Knight, Asher Robbins.
CONNECTICUT.--Sam'l A. Foot, Gideon Tomlinson.
VERMONT.-Horatio Seymour, Samuel Prentiss.
NEW YORK.-Charles E. Dudley, William Marcy.
NEW JERSEY.--M. Dickerson, Theo. Frelinghuysen
PENNSYLVANIA.-Geo. M. Dallas, Wm. Wilkins.
DELAWARE.-I. M. Clayton, Arnold Naudain.
MARYLAND.-E. F. Chambers, Samuel Smith.
VIRGINIA.--Littleton W. Tazewell, John Tyler.
NORTH CAROLINA.-B. Brown, W. P. Mangum.
SOUTH CAROLINA.--R. Y. Hayne, S. D. Miller.
GEORGIA.--George M. Troup, John Forsyth.
KENTUCKY.-George M. Bibb, Henry Clay.-
TENNESSEE.--Felix Grundy, Hugh L. White.
OHIO.--Benjamin Ruggles, Thomas Ewing.

LOUISIANA.-J. S. Johnston, Geo. A. Waggaman.
INDIANA.--Wm. Hendricks, Robert Hanna.*
MISSISSIPPI.--Powhatan Ellis, Geo. Poindexter.
ILLINOIS.--Elias K. Kane, John M. Robinson.
ALABAMA.--William R. King, Gabriel Moore.
MISSOURI.-Thomas H. Benton, Alex. Buckner.

[blocks in formation]

able Josian S. JoaNSTON, Senator elect for the State of The credentials Louisiana, be permitted to take his seat. of Mr. J. had not, Mr. B. stated, yet arrived, but his election was a matter of such public notoriety, as to induce him to hope that the Senate would not hesitate to admit him. In which motion, after a brief suggestion from Mr. HAYNE, on the propriety of having these credentials filed, the Senate concurred.

sentatives, notifying that a quorum of the Senate had asThe usual message was then sent to the House of Repre

sembled.

Mr. KING and Mr. FOOT were appointed a committee to join the committee of the House of Representatives to inform the President of the United States that the two Houses had organized, and were ready to proceed to business.

The Senate then adjourned to twelve o'clock to-morrow.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6.

Mr. KING, from the joint committee appointed to wait on the President of the United States, reported that they had performed the duty enjoined them, and had received an intimation that the President would, at twelve o'clock this day, make a written communication to both Houses of Congress.

The communication promised by the President was received by the hands of Mr. DONELSON, his private Secretary; which, having been read, [see Appendix.]

On motion of Mr. KING, it was ordered that three thousand copies of the message, and fifteen hundred copies of the accompanying documents, be printed for the use of the Senate.

APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES.

Mr. KING moved that the 34th rule of the Senate be so far suspended as to authorize the Senate, in the abs ence of the Vice President, to appoint, by ballot, a chairr aan of the Committee on Finance; which motion being agreed to,

The Senate proceeded to ballot for a chairma of that committee, and Mr. SMITH, of Maryland, was chosen. The following standing committees were th en announc

Mr. BELL, of New Hampshire, moved that the honored from the chair: [* Mr. H. was superseded, January 3, by John Tipton.]

VOL. VIII.-1

On Foreign Relations.-Messrs. Tazewell, White, King, Forsyth, and Bell.

SENATE.] State of the Finances.-Imprisonment of American Citizens.—Northeastern Boundary. [Dec. 7 to 14, 1831.

On Finance.--Messrs. Smith, Tyler, Marcy, Silsbee, and Johnston.

On Commerce.-Messrs. Forsyth, Dudley, Silsbee, Johnston, and Wilkins.

On Manufactures.--Messrs. Dickerson, Clay, Knight, Miller, and Seymour

On Agriculture.-Messrs. Seymour, Brown, Moore, Hanna, and Waggaman.

On Military Affairs.--Messrs. Benton, Barnard, Troup, Clay, and Kane.

ject; and he was of opinion that no additional information would be elicited by the adoption of the resolution.

Mr. HOLMES said he was satisfied that the message of the President did not embrace the information which the resolution called for. The question was, whether the decision by the King of the Netherlands was to settle the question of boundary. If not, the President would doubtless propose further negotiations on the subject, and the object of the resolution was to obtain the information whether further negotiations were or would be proposed.

On the Militia.--Messrs. Barnard, Frelinghuysen, Clay-The President, in the exercise of his discretion, could ton, Prentiss, and Waggaman.

On Naval Affairs.-Messrs. Hayne, Tazewell, Robbins, Webster, and Bibb.

On Public Lands.--Messrs. King, Ellis, Holmes, Robinson, and Hanna.

On Private Land Claims.-Messrs. Kane, Naudain, Prentiss, Ruggles, and Hendricks.

On Indian Affairs.--Messrs. White, Troup, Poindexter, Benton, and Wilkins.

On Claims.-Messrs. Ruggles, Bell, Naudain, Brown,

and Moore.

On the Judiciary.-Messrs. Marcy, Hayne, Webster, Frelinghuysen, and Grundy.

On the Post Office and Post Roads.--Messrs. Grundy, Ellis, Hill, Ewing, and Tomlinson.

On Roads and Canals.-Messrs. Hendricks, Poindexter, Hill, Mangum, and Sprague.

On Pensions.--Messrs. Foot, Chambers, Mangum, Buckner, and Sprague.

On the District of Columbia.--Messrs. Chambers, Tyler, Holmes, Clayton, and Miller.

On the Contingent Fund.—Messrs. Knight, Dudley, and

Tomlinson.

[blocks in formation]

NORTHEASTERN BOUNDARY.

The following resolution, yesterday submitted by Mr. HOLMES, was taken up:

66

give the Senate such information on this important matter
as they required, either confidentially or otherwise, as he
might judge proper. It was due to the public to require
such information: for there was no small anxiety in the
public mind to know whether or not the decision by the
King of the Netherlands was considered to be binding
the two Governments concerned, &c.

Mr. HAYNE said he was generally in favor of motions
for inquiry; but, in this case, he would prefer a postpone-
ment for a few days. He thought the resolution, at this
time, premature. The President had informed Congress
that he would, hereafter, fully communicate, by special
message, all the papers in relation to the subject; and he
[Mr. H.] was of opinion that the better course would be
to wait for that information, when, if necessary, a motion
for inquiry could be properly shaped.

Mr. HOLMES regretted the suggestion for delay. There was a very strong feeling on the subject in the State of Maine; many of the citizens of which State thought they had been treated coolly, if not cavalierly. He would not, however, object to the delay for a few days, but, taking example from his constituents, would be at least as indulgent in this matter as they had already been. He would, therefore, consent that the resolution should lay on the the table till next week.

On motion of Mr. HAYNE, the resolution was then laid upon the table.

The Senate went into the consideration of executive business; and, after sitting with closed doors for a short time,

Adjourned to Monday next.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 12.

The Vice President of the United States attended today, and took the chair of the Senate.

On motion of Mr. CHAMBERS, it was ordered that the several officers of the Senate, who are now officiating, shall continue to act in their respective stations until Monday next.

After the reception of petitions and resolutions, and spending a short time in executive business, The Senate adjourned.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13.

The Senate spent a short time in receiving petitions and resolutions; and then Adjourned.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14.

The following message from the President of the United States was received, and read, and ordered to be printed: WASHINGTON, December 13, 1831.

To the Senate of the United States:

I transmit herewith, in obedience to a resolution of the Senate of the 8th December, 1831, all the information in Resolved, That the President be requested to inform the possession of the Executive, relative to the capture, the Senate whether any further negotiation is commenc-abduction, and imprisonment of American citizens by the ed, proposed, or intended, in regard to the Northeastern provincial authorities of New Brunswick; and the meaboundary of the United States." sures which, in consequence thereof, have been adopted Mr. POINDEXTER said the general message of the by the Executive of the United States. President of the United States treated fully on the sub

ANDREW JACKSON.

DEC. 15 to 19, 1831.] Duty on Tea.-The Militia.-Northeastern Boundary.--Election of Officers.

[SENATE.

The remainder of the sitting was spent in the reception were upwards of one million and sixty thousand, but some of petitions and other minor business.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15.

The President's message was taken up, and its various topics distributed to appropriate committees; and then, after a short time spent in executive business, Adjourned to Monday.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19.

DUTY ON TEA.

Mr. SMITH, from the Committee on Finance, to whom had been referred memorials from sundry merchants of the cities of New York, Philadelphia, and Pittsburg, in favor of a further reduction of the duties on teas, made a report, accompanied by a resolution, that it is inexpedient to act on the subject of the memorials at this time.

States had not made returns of their strength since 1820. At the present time, it would be absurd to suppose that the militia, according to their new organization, would amount to two millions. The service of a militiaman, under the existing regulation, is twenty-seven years. Under that which he proposed, the term of service would be only fourteen years. Then, if Congress should think proper to organize the militia according to the above proposed plan, and the appropriation be raised to four, instead of two hundred thousand dollars, we might reasonably hope for an efficient militia in a reasonable time, besides the great saving of time which that organization would afford to those left out of the new enrolment.

Mr. FOOT withdrew his motion to amend, and the resolution was adopted.

NORTHEASTERN BOUNDARY.

Mr. CLAY rose to inquire of the chairman of the committee, whether it was intended that the report should remain on the table or be acted on. Entertaining very different views from those which he understood to be expressed in the report, he was desirous that the question of the repeal of the duty on tea should be fully and early the suggestion of a Senator from South Carolina, [Mr. considered by the Senate. This was due to the merchant, to the consumer, and to the important interests of the country. He would, therefore, ask whether it was intended that the report should, by reference to a Committee of the Whole, or in any other manner, be brought be fore the consideration of the Senate, so that there may be some general expression of the sentiments of the whole body on the subject.

Mr. HOLMES called up his resolution which was laid on the table last week, inquiring of the President of the United States whether any negotiation was commenced, proposed, or intended, in regard to the Northeast boundary. He stated that it was laid on the table in accordance with

Mr. SMITH, chairman of the committee, replied that the usual course was not to act on reports on the day they were presented to the Senate; they laid on the table one day of course, and were taken up and disposed of on the day following.

THE MILITIA.

The following resolution, submitted on Thursday last by Mr. HANNA, was taken up:

Resolved, That the Committee on the Militia be instructed to inquire into the expediency of an organization of the militia, such as will embrace those only between the ages of twenty-one and thirty-five; and also of increasing the annual appropriation for arming the militia of the United States.

Mr. FOOT moved to amend the resolution by striking out the word an, and inserting the words "a reorganization.

HAYNE,] that the documents expected from the President might convey the information required by the resolution. But he had examined the documents since transmitted by the Executive, none of which conveyed the information required.

Mr. POINDEXTER moved to amend the resolution by striking out the words "proposed or intended," as he thought it improper to inquire of the President what negotiations he intended to institute.

Mr. HOLMES remarked that he was not disposed to be very fastidious, even in regard to asking the President's intentions; but still he could not perceive why he had not on this subject a right to know what the President did intend. But as the words "commenced or proposed" would embrace his whole object, he had no objection to modify the resolution by omitting the word "intended," but objected to expunging the word "proposed."

Mr. BIBB, suggesting that the resolution might involve a discussion which would not be proper in public session, hoped the gentleman would consent to transfer it to the executive journal.

Mr. H. consented to transfer the resolution to the executive journal, and accordingly moved that it be so transferred.

Mr. KING objected, stating that it was not the practice, and was improper. The gentleman could reach the object by withdrawing it now, and offering it in secret session.

Mr. HOLMES said resolutions had been transferred both

Mr. HANNA replied that his object was not to limit the inquiry of the committce, but rather to impart to it all possible light and information on the subject. His sole ways. Legislative resolutions to the executive, and exeobject in submitting the resolution was to reduce the en-cutive to the legislative journals. It might, however, occur rolment of the militia, and raise the appropriation to pro- that our legislative proceedings might bring into discussion vide arms in such a manner as at once to afford an effect-matter exclusively executive, and the proper course was ive militia force. He would, however, accept the amend-to transfer the subject and discuss it with closed doors. On the other hand, a subject might be presented as an ex

ment of the Senator from Connecticut.

Mr. POINDEXTER observed that he was not apprised ecutive subject, which might become of a legislative chaof any organization of the militia by Congress. He, there-racter, or which did not require secrecy, and it would be fore, thought the word reorganization would be improper. proper to make it public by placing it on the legislative Mr. HANNA would state to the Senator from Missis- journal. These changes often become necessary, and the sippi, that there was an act of Congress which purported practice had been such as he suggested.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

to be an act organizing the militia of the United States, and The question being taken, the motion to transfer the referred to the act of 1806. It was on account of the requi-resolution to the confidential sitting was agreed to by a sitions of that act, he had offered the resolution in question. large majority. That act was in itself a nullity, because it required of the militia of the United States an impossibility. It required them to provide their own arms, and to appear on days of training with proper equipment. Now, if all the arms in the United States, both public and private, were put into the hands of the militia, they would not all be supplied. According to the last return of the militia, their numbers

The Chair announced the order of the day, for proceeding to the election of the officers of the Senate, and desired the members to prepare their ballots for Secretary.

Mr. CHAMBERS rose, and said that, before the ballot for Secretary be taken, he desired to obtain information in

SENATE.]

Election of Officers.

[DEC. 19, 1831.

relation to a grave charge, of such current circulation as perceive the injustice to ourselves. He hoped the Seto make it probable that every Senator present was ac-cretary was able to give a satisfactory explanation. Was quainted with it: he alluded to a letter lately published in it proper to refuse him the opportunity to do so? The many of the newspapers, purporting to be from William Senate and the public might be disabused. Was it pro

B. Lewis (Second Auditor) to Stephen Simpson. The per to prohibit it? Senators had the means of correct language of the letter imported that the President had information; was it just to deny their application of these expected the nomination of Mr. Simpson, then pending in means? He thought not. The Senator from North Cathe Senate, to be confirmed, until the morning of the day rolina had alluded to the charge as the work of a partisan on which the Senate finally acted on that nomination; editor-a common newspaper slander. The Senator was when he learnt, from the Secretary of the Senate, for the mistaken in point of fact. The charge emanated from an first time, that Mr. Simpson was in danger. The extent officer holding a conspicuous position in the Government. of the assertion is, said Mr. C., that, before a final decision The newspaper contained the letter in which the assertion in this body upon a nomination, the President receives was made, and he believed the printed copy was exact. intelligence from our Secretary of the opinions of Sena- The original letter, however, could be produced if its tors on that nomination. The rules of the Senate, from authenticity were doubted, and would be found to corits earliest organization, Mr. C. said, had required that the respond. The charge, then, was a grave one. The executive duties of the body should be conducted with source whence it originated was calculated to demand closed doors, and imposed on Senators and their officers credit for its correctness, and the means for determining its an injunction not to disclose debates or opinions; reposing truth perfectly accessible. No other mode had been sugfor the faithful and sacred observance of this injunction gested; and unless something more practicable should be upon the honor of each individual. When, therefore, it proposed, he would submit a motion which the presiding was suggested, or rather asserted, that the most confiden- officer had said would be in order to permit the Secretial officer of the Senate had violated the confidence and tary to make such explanations as he may desire to submit. proved treacherous to the faith reposed in him, the duty Mr. BROWN disclaimed any intention of throwing any seemed to be imperative on the Senate to ascertain whe-obstacles in the way of investigation; but expressed himther the assertion be sustained by facts. We have now self decidedly adverse to the introduction of a practice before the world the written assertion of an officer filling which did not exist in any deliberative assembly, to ask an important station in the Government, [the Second Au-officers to declare whether they were guilty or not of any ditor, professing to speak in the name and by the autho- allegation. The question was, he admitted, a grave one, rity of the Chief Magistrate, which, if true, affects the but his object was to prevent the introduction of a pracofficial fidelity of the Secretary of the Senate. Mr. C. tice subversive of the dignity of this body. The proper said he had felt some difficulty as to the most proper mode test would be, in his opinion, the ballot box when the of bringing this subject to the notice of the Senate; but Senators should come to vote. after reflection it had appeared to him proper to mention Mr. HAYNE rose, and addressed himself to a point of it in his place, in the hope that it might receive the expla- misconception which it appeared to him existed in respect nation which, if untrue, could at once be furnished. It to the question. No Senator had, he conceived, a right was due to the intelligence and respect we owe to the to call on the Secretary to make explanations. Although, community, that a charge so publicly made, affecting the if the motion were in order, he would rather he should do character of an officer of this body, should be publicly so; and that it was in order, he was inclined to believe, as known to be without truth, if such were the case. Mr. the Secretary had already, on more occasions than one, C. had, therefore, taken this means to inquire whether by permission, addressed the Senate in explanation. He any Senator was charged by the Secretary with the histo- hoped the Secretary's explanation would be satisfactory, ry of this matter, and authorized by him to present such and, if it was his wish to make one, hoped he would be explanations as the subject seemed to demand. Such an permitted.

explanation, he hoped, could and would be given, as The Secretary then intimating, through the President, should do justice to the officer himself, and relieve the a wish to address the Senate, and the wish being accorded Senate from further difficulty. Should it be that this by the general consent of the members, authority had not been given to any Senator on the floor, Mr. LOWRIE rose, and said that, strictly speaking, he he supposed it would be in order for the Secretary him- had no explanation to give. That to the charge, as he unself to make the explanation asked for, and which he derstood it, he had nothing to give but a decided, and, he [Mr. C.] hoped would be entirely satisfactory. must add, an indignant denial. The miserable publicaMr. BROWN was opposed to an explanation on the part tions on this subject he had not seen; he had heard of them, of the Secretary of the Senate, suggested by the Senator but he paid no attention to any thing from that source. from Maryland. If the Senate permitted such a course He would say, however, since he had acted as the Secreto be pursued, it would grow into a precedent, and be tary of the Senate, neither President Adams nor President claimed as a right in cases of a similar nature, by every Jackson had ever asked him a single question in relation to officer of the House, from the highest to the lowest, on the actings of the Senate on nominations. He [Mr. L.] any imputation, either on anonymous newspaper authority, made this statement without qualification, and he could or from a partisan editor. He had listened in vain for with confidence appeal to both those gentlemen for its any specific allegations against the Secretary. truth. I understand, said Mr. L., that there is a letter

Mr. CHAMBERS said he was altogether unconvinced said to be from Mr. Lewis, stating that, on the 2d of March, by what had been said by the Senator from North Caro- I told him that S. Simpson's nomination would not be lina. If he could suggest any mode of proceeding more confirmed. On this point my recollection is this: On the likely to result in giving the Senate more accurate infor- 2d of March I was not at the President's till I took up the mation of the truth or falsehood of the assertion now pro- rejection of the nomination. But some time near the posed to be inquired into, that Senator should receive his close of the session, I met Mr. Lewis just inside of the acknowledgments. In such event, the course now pro-door, in the President's house. He asked me some quesposed would be abandoned, and the better course of the tions about the proceedings of the Senate. What he askSenator cheerfully substituted. But he offers no substi-ed me, or what I answered, I have not the most remote tute, he protests against the one pursued, and would recollection of. If he asked me whether I thought S. leave us to act on the charge and deny the means of ascer- Simpson's nomination would be confirmed, I certainly told taining its truth. This is injustice to the individual offi- him I thought it would not. I would have told him so the cer and the Senators. Candor and intelligence must day it was made, or a month before it was made. Such

« ForrigeFortsett »