The Madisonian. [volume], September 09, 1837, Image 2

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It wu not deemed proper to comply with these re
quest* But M long t delay u mt fecal situation jus
tified, end every relief aa to the currency which seemed
the receipt of debenture certiftrmtee and Tree- j
?ury draft*, far duUee, were permitted in mitigation of
the exiating emberraaamenta.
Having w this, doue all that a sound and liberal ei
erciee of the discretion of the department appeared either
to justify or require, no inteotiou eiiata, nor would it be
proper in the preaeut elate of the Treasury, to grant any
indulgencea beyond thoee already authorised, without i
the exprea* direction of Congress
Some further facta which may be uaeful to aid ita
members in coming lo a correct conclusion on this sub
Ct, are that the amount of bond* which hare already
in postponed to the 1st of October is sbout S3,500,
000, and by that date will, it is presumed, be increased
to ?4.000,000.
If Congress permit no louger postponement, the re
ceipts Cor the year will probably be increased by the in
dulgences already granted, as they hare been sllowtd,
generally, on additional security, and alwaya on in
terest.
But as auits and dalaya in colloction will atill occur,
though to a less extent than ui the first stsges of the
pressure, it is expected that not over two-thirds of the
amount postponed before the close of this month can be
collected during the current year.
Therbonds slresdy put in suit since the middle of Msy
amount to f 1,000,000. But if Congrew extend the
postponement till next January, aa waa originally re
quested by some of the parties or for one year, as re
cently requested by the Chamber of Commerce of New
York, (P 3,} the receipts for the present yesr wdl pro
bably be thereby lessened from four to five millions
Should Congress, however, adopt an intermediate
course, as sn act not of mere benevolence, but of addi
tional relief, which appears reasonable, under the extra
ordinary mercantile diafresacs of the times, and more
aafe to the Government, in reapcct to eventual collec
tions, it might sanction a delay not to exceed, altogether,
aix months beyond the original period of payment, in
*"y particular case. It ia computed that this would di
ininish the receipts, during the present year, about two
and a half millions ot dollars ; but if granted on the
ususl terms, would increase the receipts next year, in a
greater proportion, by ihe interest sccruing, as well aa
By the luller collections wtuch would probably lie made
in a greater number of caaes.
The opinion of the department on iheae various pro
poaitioua ia, that, considering merely our present finan
cial necessities, no further postponement can be regard
cd ss expedient, though in some other res|>ects, a* fully
deisiled in the recent letter from the Chsuiber of Com
mercc, (F J,) the Isst dclsy mentioned might be found
justifiable, and more beneficisl. But if s law be [Missed
extending credit on the bouds, it is supposed that, in any
correct view of the subject, ita provuions need not be
continued in force beyond the period when the worst ef
fccla of the pressure will be likely to hsve ceaaed, and
when all iui|>orta could, by a further extension of the
wareliouae system, be advantagcoualy made payablo in
caah.'at the lime the goods are wanted for immediate
conaumptiou.
The extension of that system is, therefore, respect
fully recommended to the consideration of Congress, in
connection with the present subject, aa it might intro
duce as great an improvement in the collection of im
posts, as ihe substitution of cash for credit in the collec
tion of revenue from the sales of public lsnds. It would
certainly increaae the security, esse, and promptitude of
the operation ; would dispense entirely with the trouble
and riak in the payment of debenturesL; work favorably
to ihe manufsclunng interests ; and at the same lime,
facilitate our trade in foreign articles, aa well aa exone
rate the merchant from many euibarraasiuenta in regard
to aureties and guaranties.
III. Obttacla in the way of travtferung the last instal
ment of Depot tic t to the Statu.
Early legislation has likewise become necessary, either
to withhold or postpone, for a reasonable period, the
fourth instalment of depositee Willi the States, or to fur
nish such sid as may be necessary to coipplete them in
a satisfactory manner.
By the general suspension of specie payments, and
the consequent necessity, under the deposite act, to dis
continue most of the public depositoriea, the transfers
from the banks in the west and aouthwest to the sea
bosnl, which were necessary lo place much of the money
in a position to be conveniently lodged with the Stales
in October, have in several instances, been defeated.
1 hey had, aa in case of the former instalments, been
ordered seasonably, though as a general rule, only where
rendered proper, in consequence of great accumulation
of public funds in an unfavorable situation, on account
of the course of trade and exchanges, to be paid directly
to the respective Slates. But, in the troubled condi
tion of the money market, they had not been injuriously
hastened as to the tnne of payment, and consequently,
falling duo in the course of the summer and early in
autumn, near two-thirds of ihe whole amount of these
funds still on hand have been detained in the west and
southwest, where ihey had so unusually augmented from
the large sales of public lands. Hence, if the last de
poaite with the Suites was, in this position of the money,
to be attempted, the orders directing it must, in many
cases, be msde on places remote, and very inconvenient
to some of the receiving States, on account of the uri
favorable balanco of trade, or the rates of exchange ;
and must be met, if at all, in a currency unacceptable
and greatly depreciated. Transfers of portions of the
July instalment could not, from the same cause, lie ef
fected in the precise mode intended, nor from the banks
most desirable, though much of it had reached the ap
propriate points, to render the operation easy, before the
suspension of specie payments. In all caies in which
they were not offered to be paid in a currency satisfacto
ry lo the States, thoir agents were requested to return
the orders of transfer till Congress could make new and
suitable provisions.on the subject. (See form of letter
and postcript to States, G.)
But tins request has not always been complied with.
About $1,165,575 of that instalment has not yel been
receipted for by the States to the Treasury, nor the or
ders relumed. On the contrary, the United Stales
Bali* chartered by the State of Pennsylvania has lately
become the purchaser of several of these orders, though
not given for any debt, but merely directing a transfer
from one public depository to another. This institution
lias demanded of ihe banks on which they arc drawn that
payment should be made to her in specie ; and, on their
failing to do so, has caused the orders to be protested,
l-nder these circumstances, and as the deposites wiih
Die States were to be made of what was in the Treasury
and consequently in t|lt) banks, on the 1st of January
last, it is for Congress to decide whether payment shall
be made ol any of those orders in a mode and currency
different from the rest of the third instalment of depo
sites with the Slates.
Another reason for withholding or postponing the
October deposites, or for some legal provision to aid in
completing them, is, that a sum equal to the revenue
probably accruing, and a large portion of these depo
sites, bad befoie they were payable, been expressly ap
propriated by Congress to other objects. When look
ing to ihe rapid decrease in our receipts, to the expect
ed deficiency in the course of the year, and the j;reut
amount of outstanding appropriations which, at the close
ol it, wi I t?e left unpaid, much of thai whole instalment
Kcenig likely to be ueeiled at au early da v. ily either of
t.ie first.two measures, tlio money couid, according lo
its origin,! destination, he applied to the necessary wants
ol the General Government, as soon as it can be drawn
rom the banks m |P??| flln(j, (n ,h#l wjy go
l.le an o .ject would al?o lie accomplished, without ihe
expense and delsv of the mousy Wing lirsi psid over to
llie Mates, and then subjected to au early recall On
tin other hand, several of the Slates might, in the present
posture ol their atUirs. exjierience considerable incon
venience, ruber by no< receiving it. or by soon refund..,*
a brgo portion of its amount . and many of the banks
wllicll hold It mixht lie alilo more satisfactorily to pay it
to the Slates than |o the Tr. asurv Hut, thou/I. the
s ibiect is one of much delicacy and difficulty, ami pecu
liarly projier for the final action of Congress, it may be
e<peeled that ibis department should erpre-s some opi
i"on to which course apjK-ars most eligible in the
present condition of ihe tinsi.ee* ft M, therefore, with
i uiercnce suggested, that when regarding their condi
tion and the importance of meeting with efficiency and
g.fcxi faith ?ll the obligations of the Government to the
public creditor*, it woulJ be most Judicious to apply the
whole install.lent, a, fast as it is wanted and can bo
collected i.? the prompt discharge of tlmse obligations :
and that the last deposite with the States, not being a
Jlelit. but a ui. re tcui|iorary disj?osal of a surplus, should
7 P?*'|H>.?d until Congress, in some different state of
t ie lances, when sue!, an available surplus may exist,
shall see a mantle,, propriety and ability m comoleti.i?,
the d.'jMis.te, and snail y.vc direction* to llrat effect
Consequently, no fuiiher steps ?,H betaken as to the
UepoaiMj of any part of thu instalment nil Congress has
had an 0(f0rtu..lty fo acl ..,s,n the s?!,,ecl in such man
ner as, m ihe present |u<ture of a^airs, it. superior wis
doiu may consider preferable.
IV*. Iljiculty pay.Hg the A/tprirnrntwni, and oh the
issue #?/ Tieiiimy Note*
Some further obitaclo* exist it! the way of dischsra
ing satisfactorily all ihe appropriate..* which have bee,.
hi.ult' by (y?>rtPre**.
The effects which may be produced upon the accru
ing revenue, by granting or withholding further delass
on bond-. |.>r d itie ^'.ave already been explained
In add lion to li.. there is a likelihood in the pre- J
?mi pressure, that the Day i** of ?sh 4?tie?. ?o'h?
extent of one Bullion of dufcn more tba? *ual. will to?
unavoidably deferred to ?K>lh?r nac. ?IU imported
under the existing laws are entitled to ?*aui delays. Mm
keeping in store the woollen good* which pay w?h
Thie circumeUnce in connection with the difficulty
of collecting the fund*, whether longer postponed omul,
will sensibly increase the embarrassments which have
been aimcially pointed out, and otherwise exist in pay
tng with promptitude, end in ? legal manner, the large
appropriations chargeabls upon the reside of the cur
"hIdm, after a considerable deficiency in the available
means became highly probable, it wa. (Uennd Mpedient
to adopt any ludicious and lawful measure to remedy'it,
which was withui the power of the department. Ac
cordingly, though large quantities of public lands were
still in market unsold, and though the receipts from this
aource during the yeer would be higher than anticipated,
in consequence, among other things, of
put on the pre-emption laws, admitting a Urge class of
settlers to entries, it was supposed that some further
tfacts, in places much desired by the new Slates, might
prudently be ottered. A few such have been advertised ;
but sufficient time, after due notice, has not yet elspsed
to realize sny thing from them.
If the fourth instalment of the depositee with the
Stales be deferred, and the difficulty in seasonably trans
ferring it be thus removed, yet being chiefly in the cos
tody of banks not paying * - that *t
cannot be immediately remixed in lunds meel
existing appropriations. If tt be not deferred, some
further provSow.il be still more indispensable to ena
ble the Tressury not only to plsce it with the Stales,
but to psy all the public creditors and officers in a aalis
faclory manner, until the duties now due from the mer
chants and the funds now in the discontinued ?
banks csn bo collected. It is irue, that a resort to the
States for refunding portions of the large sums slready
deposited with them would also remain by law; but
under the limitations of the act of June, 1836, it <wot Id
be very slow in iu operstion. and if complied with,
would prove entirely insufficient to anawer auch an ur
gent occasion as the present. During the ensuing quar
ter, the whole smount that could I* legally recalled
would not exceed aix huudred and fifty thousand dol
lars. Hence It seems expedient, either in aid or exclu
sion of a requisition on the Slates, as msy be deemed
most suitable by Congress, to provide some temporary
resource until enough of the fourth instalment, or other
meana in the Treasury, can he rendered available to die
charge all the public engagements. It need not be ?
loan, or sn incresae of taxes of any kind ; as the Gene
ral Government, in respect to its finances, whatever
temporary embarrassment the recent convulsions in
commerce and banking may have created, is far from
having any just cause for despondency. It is neither
overwhelmed with a National debt, nor deatitute of large
pecuniary resources on hand ; but entirely free from
the former, it is so amply supplied with the latter as to
hsve in the Treasury over forty millions of dollars, and
eight or ten millions more in bonds, which will soon be
come payable. But a large portioni being in deposite
with the Slates, and the residue chiefly in banks and
the lunds of merchants, under the difficulties before
named, in procuring promptly, and in a legal currency,
the amounts of money which are needed, aome collate
ral aid for a ahort period, till a sufficiency can be col
lected, appears to be judicious, if not indispensable.
It is fortunate that the energies of the country, gene
rally, are not paralysed, nor its prospects clouded by any
ureal physical calamities; and hence its immediate
wants can, without doubt, be provided for in various
W*Ons mode would be, to authonxe the issue of Trea
sury notes, receivable for all public dues, but without
interest. These would differ from the drafts or checks
now in use, only as the latter are given for immediate
payment, and drawn on persona anil banks having pub
lic tnoney sufficient, to meet them; and consequently,
the holders must be cx[>osed to the trouble and expense
of presenting thein at the places where payable. Still
they are nearly on a par with specie. In the present
deranged state of bank paper and exchanges, and in the
favorable condition of the General Government, by its
ample resources and exemption from pecuniary liabili
ties, to impart the greatest confidence in tespect to the
redemption of ?uch notes, it is probable that they would
readily be taken at par by most of the public creditors.
Especially would this be likely to happen, provided they
wee? issued iu denominations as low as twenty, fifty,
and one hundred dollars ; and not iu too large quanti
ties, but used only in anticipation of the accruing
revenue on occasional emergencies, and to a limited
amount.
Contrary to expectation, should the dopartmcnt, dur
ing the present delinquency of many of ihe public debt
ors, lie exposed to auch very large calls, and collect so
little revenue, as not to be able, by both the above notes
and drafts, to meet all its engagements in a satisfactory
manner, it would be desirable that the President should
possess a contingent authority to cause Treasury notes
to be issued, bearing an interest not to cxceed six per
Specie could always be raised on these for tho public
creditor, when he preferred it. But as notes bearing much
interest would soon cease to be used in circulation, (and
if they should not, would as a currency, be troublesome
in the computation of interest, and too strongly tend to
exclude specie from the country.) it might be advisable
not to make them receivable, at first, for any public dues,
but only to resort to that measure afterwards, when it
should bo found convenient for redeeming thein.
In connection with the issue of any Treasury notes,
it is believed to be wise to make ample provision for
their earlv and final redemption. This could be accom
plished by enacting, thai when the money 011 hand in
the Treasury and Mint, available for public purposes,
may exceed a given amount of four 01 five^ millions, it
shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Treasury to
cause these notes (securing priority to any on interest.)
to be redeemed to such an extent as the surplus may
exceed that sum, and what will probably be needed to
defray current expenses. It being believed that a re
duction of the tariff, and suitable regulations concerning
the sales of public: land, ought at a proper tune to be put
in forcc, so as to prevent any large and regular accumu
lation iu the Tieasurv, the department would respect
fully propose, that, in case of any unexpected excess
beyond the sums above specified, it should merely be
invested, in a temporary manner, in salo Stato stocks,
at their market rate, subject to be sold again whenever
the proceeds shall be wanted to discharge existing ap
propriations.
An additional consideration in favor of these measures
is, that since the payment of the public debt, which ab
sorbed anv occasional surplus of receipts, it is impossi
ble, according to the views expressed in some previous
reports from the undersigned, that, with sources of
revenue so fluctuating as ours, and so dependant on
commercial prosperity, and fiscal operation* should bo
long continued with ease, vigor, and uniformly, without
some such regulator as a |>ower to issue and redeem
Treasury notes, or to invest and sell the investment of
surpluses. By anv other course we shall constantly bo
exposed to great deficiencies, or excesses, with all their
attendant embarrassments. If depositing the excesses
with tho States, subject to bo recalled to supply deft,
ciencies. the pecuniary profit to tho whole Union will bu
no greater, wlnlo sucii a course may involve us in a
series of vexatious demand* on them, accompanied by
various dangers both to them and the General Govern
ment; and, in tho mean time, it is feared will, in miny
instances, tend to excite excesses and evils similar to
some of those under which the country is now suffering.
V. On ihe mfckeqnrtc of th.- Public Money hereafter.
The arrangements for keeping the public money,
which had been in successful operation for a few vears
previous to the passage of tho dejKHite act of IS.) 1, be
came partially embarrassed by carrying into effect some
of its provisions. But the enforcement of them all,
whero not entirely perfected, was in seasonable progress
in May la*t, when the detriment was compelled by the
act .to give notice to such of the selected banks as had
suspended specie pavinonts, that they could 110 longer
lie considered as general depositories of tho public
monevs. (See circular, I )
A list is ami ed of ill before employed in that capa
city, which have been discontinued (it )
After due inquiries to procure other depositories, in
conformity to the act, the department has completed th'J
appointment of only one. Tins, anJ four ni'iro that
have not suspended, with one tint has wsumed specie
payment*, (making six in all.) cortstittTo the present
bank depositories fjp-^vneral purposes. A schedule ol
thein i? added (l? )
During the inability to obtain specie pivi-i: ban** a'
other points, tho Treasurer, being required bv tho
closing |?rt of the Hii section of the act, to keep and
disburse the public mo icy according to the Uw* before
111 force, has done it in conformity to the very wide dis
cretion which existed when no rules were 111 force, that
had lieen prescrilicd by Congress, except to "keep
and "disburse the same" under iho general s iperin
tendence of the Secretary of the Treasury A part of
it has, therefore, boeti kept in social de|m,ite m this
eitv, a portion of it in the Mint, and the residue with the
officers collecting it. until .it was wanted for public pur
!?.sts. or until it accumulated in such mum at any point
at not to be. probibly. wanted there for such use (See
two circular*, M and N ) In the lust ca<e. 11 ha*, from
11 -no to turns l>eeu applied to tho payment ol creditor-.
t>v drafts o 1 the receivers or collectors ; and in the last,
t!ie excess h is been d reeled 10 l>e te njiorarily pi iced
with banks not re.11 u'ely sit ialed, and in sjh- m! drpo
lute for mJMjt, until wanted tor ?q*ndtiure elsewhere,
or until Mate new laguUitaa tall t*Jui ftace in relation
to it. ?
Ul#er lh?e? circ?BMUara, ike department pould
respectfully suggest aoine prutaton* which may be more
specific, and may be required for the safe-keeping and
disbursing of the public utofiers.
In the preaont condition ot the Government and the
country, two systems we |>ro|o.. d, either of which, it is
believed, may be practicable aid adequate to the exigen
cies of die crista One is, M enlargement and adapta
tion of the system partially eaployed aince the suspen
sion of specie payments, so ?s to make it answer all
neeeeeary purpose*. This eta Id be effected merely by
aaaigning to our existing oicers and eaubltahmeiiu
eotne additional duties.
The Treasurer, St the eeatif Government; the Mint,
with ite branch at New Orleais, and another which haa
beon contemplated, and ia ouch needed at New York,
for other purposes ; collector! of the euatoma, and re
ceivers of moneys for the salet of land, as well as poat
maeters, might all be diractal to keep in aafety, not
only the public money collecud by them, but all actually
placed m their possession, by tranafer or otherwise. Aa
fiscal agents, they might, also h? required to pay over
and transfer it for auch publii purposea aa may be au
iliorized by Congreas, and un?er such regulations as the
Treaeary Department, from tme to time, may preacribe.
Indeed, the third section of tte poet office law of 1825,
with the bond taken under it aa to the agency of the
postinastera ia, perhsps, already sufficiently brosd for
that class of officers. At ponta like New York, and a
few others, where a likelibowl existed that the sums
would permanently be large, >ut which, under a reduced
revenue and expenditure, woild seldom occur, authority
might be given to appoint the clerks now acting aa
cashiers or tellers under the collectors and receivers, or
other more suitable persons, o act as keepers and pay
masters of the public money. But they should be made
independent of the collector) and receivers, and placed
under the like tenure of offict and under auitable bonds.
Additional means of aafety, and auch additional but
limited compensation to any cf the above officers, might
be provided as the increaaed hak and labor might render
just; but in only a few cases would these last be much
augmented at any place.
Taking the year 1834 aa furnishing a specimen suffi
ciently large of the probableVusiness ui future connect
ed with the general operations of the Treasury Depart
ment, but, of course, not including the separate esta
blishment of the poet office, the whole number of
warranta iasued in that vear was a little under five
thouaand ; and, though differing much in actual amount,
averaging about $5,000 each. This would be leas than
twenty warranta a day, and bence would require less
than one per day to be paid in each of the tweuty-aix
States. I'hey differed, in fact, fiom four per day in this
District, and two per day in New York, which were the
highest numbers, to only one per week in several of the
States. (See tsble P.) The business at each office
daily, or even weekly, in making payments of the drsfts,
would, therefore, be very little If more tlian one draft
is issued on a warrant, the business would be increased
in that proportion, unless the whole payments were re
duced, as is probable, hereafter, to sixteen or seventeen
millions yearly.
In regard to the risk, five millions in the Treasury at
any one time, if all placed in the hands of collectors and
receivers, would not, on an average, exceed 830,000
with each of the present number.
But if the amount, besides one million in the Mint,
was chiefly in the hands of half lha present number,
which would approach nearer to the probable result, the
sum with each would still be less thin most of 4he ex
isting bondj of receivers; and when exceeding theirs,
or those of the principsl collectors, tie excess, in most
cases, could be readily prevented, or reduced, by being
drawn out to pay creditors, or be conveniently trans
ferred to the Treasurer of the United States, at the seat
of Government, or fo the Mint and its branches. Until
one of the latter is authorized at New York, the substi
tute before mentioned, of one of the present officers in
the customs tkere as an independei* keeper and pay
inaater of the public money, could be adopted, and, if
deemed prudent, be extended to any other similar place.
In this made, the present number of officers con
nected with the collection and disbursement of the
| revenue throughout the United States need not be at all
increased. ,Vor will it become necessary, except in a
| few cases, to augment their compensation. Twenty or
thirty thousand dollars a year would probably cover the
whole additional expenso of every kind.
Tho other svstem to which the attention and con
sideration of Congress are respectfully invited, is, a new
organization, uy means of commissioners or receivers
general, to gatlier the collections to more central points,
and keep and disburse there a large portion of the pub
lic money, or snch as could not be kept safely and ex
|>endcd conveniently in the hand* of the collecting
officers. Such an organization might be at only three
or four of the most important points; or it might be
made more extensive, and the number enlarged to
eight or ten. This could be arranged, ill all essential
particulars, substantially, in the manner which is now in
very successful practice in some of the most enlightened
and opulent Governments in Europe, and as was ur
gently recommended by this department as early as
1790. (Sec extract O ) Tho only material difference
need be, to pay out more of ihe money near the placos
where it is collected, rather than ficst to traisinit ino.it
of it to the seat of Government. This organization of
fiscal agents would be advantageous as a separate esta
blishment for this business alone, and as ai independ
ent check on most of those collecting the revunue. But
it would reouire some addition to the presen; number of
officers, and in the first instance would mote increase
the public expenses.
But the whole ncldition of principal officers neod not
exceed ten. Nor would tho increased annial expense {
to the Government probably amount to 6,-er fifty or :
sixty thousand dollars, its the system would suable both
the War and Navy Departments to dispense with seve
ral of their agents for making local disbursements. The
danger of any losses will be nearly the same under both
plans. It is impossible to conduct the affairs of Go
vernment, or tho ordinary transactions of society, with
out trust and risk of some kind. But one great object,
wherever pecuniary confidence is reposed, should al
ways be to require tho best safeguards which appear
? easoliable ; and in either of these systems, us hereafter
explained, the amount trusted can be inorecasilv kept
from becoming excessive, and the hazard of josses,
affecting the deposite agent by his lending or trading,
be fully obviated, by the strict prohibition of both the
latter, under severe penalties.
Our direct losses from either collecting or deposite
agents have always been comparatively small. Those
by the former, it is believed, have not equalled those by
the latter, though the latter, being banks, have usually,
in the end, paid moat of their deposite*. The losses by
the former are also supposed not to have exceeded one
fifth of those on the bonds of merchants for duties, and
probably not one-eighth of those from the purchasers of
public lands, under the credit system.
Occasional and strict examinations of the money on
hand, whoro large in amount, would furnish a strong
safeguard beyond the character of the officer, and the
property of himself and sureties, and which it might bo
provided should be made by a commi tee of Congress,
or in any other mode deemed most eligible to constitute
an effectual check.
The plans which have been explained as to fiscal
agents, are augaested for consideration, under a belief
that either is appropriate in tho presont posture of af
fairs ; that they require hut slight changes in our existing
laws or usages j and, whatever objections esn be adduc
ed against them, will, at tho same tuna, bo found to
possess many signal advantages.
, They will not, so much as some other modes of keep
ing tho public money, expose tho Treasury to disap
pointments and delays, through a dangerous partnership
<>f interest, or the use of that money for private or cor
porate pur|K?sas. As the vicissitudes of trade or specu
lation affect tlu persons who borrow from the public
bulking depositories, the evil consequences must some
times inevitably reach and embarrass the Treasury itself.
Nor, oil tho other hand, will tlieso modes, like our
former one, cause frequent injury to those who, trading
on the revenue of the Government, are s ib oct to bu
most pressed to refund it, when least able. It is be
lieved, likewise, that the funds of the Treasury can bo
aKviiys more readily coiiimuiulod in a legal currency,?nd
the hopes of its creditors not defeated, nor its faith vio
lated so often, if the money is not loaned out, either in
full or in pirt, but, as in other co intries, is retained m
specie or its equivalent, and in the actual custody of
o;ficer? exclusively fiscal In other countries, the public
money is believed to be seldom, if ever, chargeable to
the Treasurer, till it is e;ther paid over o:i some dr ift,
so that he can get cred.t for the piyinent, (and which
mode is practised so nawh.it in England, as well as here,
and extensively in Franco.) or lod,'?d, noi in dojiosite
in any built, but in his o.vn possession, at the seat of
Government. In the former mode, the *y*:e its now
proposed, and esjKJciully the lirst one, would operaio so
as to disburse at each point most of the puM.c money
collected neat, and would thus enable the Treasury to
command its resources with leas dehv ; the money not
being previously paid over at so ne distance, and to a
separate set of agents, as has Usually hsen the practice
here in the use of banks; nor much of it trt iajtortud.
inconveniently to the capital, us has usually been tho
practice elsewhere. Tins mode would thus posses* o n?
o! the greatest eX'-ellonees in any fiscal si'siu u; wh-c'i
is, o p%y over q iickest to tit,- public creator, a ij vrli
the Igtat official complexity, whatever i? colluded fnm
the p#>lic debtor. T
Dttidc* (heao advantage*, other* would be, that th#
money in the Treasury, under both of the plane submit
ted, can always be more easily kept down to moderate
dimensions by reductions lit lite revenue, and by tem
porary investments of an occasional aurplua, aa there
wdl be no antagonist interest connected with it, wish
ing for loan* and the uee of surpluses, and thua co-ope
rating to prevent a reduction.
The existing establishments and officer*, whenever
convenient, would be employed without a double ma
chinery or the organisation of a new system of agenla.
Executive control would be diminished rather than in
creased by them, because any additional office) * will be
selected, not by the President alone, nor the Treaaury
Department, aa the bank* now are, but virtually be de
signated by Congreaa, and the principal incumbenta ap
pointed by the consent of the .Senate. They would also
remove all ground for the objection sometime* urged
against the former eyetem, that the Executive alone ex
ercises an extensive jiatronsgu and great moneyed in
fluence through a ho?it>f bank presidents, directors and
stockholders scattered through every section of the
country, and selected without the assent or check of
either House of Congress in any particular caae, and
making loana of the public money from conaiderations
merely political or official. A vary wide diacretion will
be thus restricted, snd a prolific source of suspicion
and imputation of favoritism and partiality be entirely
a topped.
The officers, under the plana propoaed, will likewiae
be amenable excluaively to the General Government,
and not be embarraaaed, like the officers of the banka,
by conflicting duties and interests ui respect to the
Slates ; nor involved in those collisions, jealousies, and
recriminations, often attendant on that position.
The independent and harmonious action of each Go
vernment in its appropriate sphere will thus be more
fully secured. The local institutions, as a general prin
ciple, will be led to the care and uses of the several
States which established them, without interference on
the nart of the General Government, and to be regu
latea or discontinued, as deemed mod useful under
their own State policies, and most conducive to the
oiiginal purposes of their creation. Nor would any
general moneyed corporation, aside from the grsve
doubts which exist aa to both ita constitutionality and
general expediency, liave been likely in auch a crisis aa
that of the war of 1812, or perhaps that of the lsst spring,
to have proved a much aafer public depository than
those local inatitutiona. Though more convenient in
form for fiscal purpose* than they, and Iree from some
otijoctions as to want of symmetry and accountability
which obtaiu against them, yet, if chsrtered on usual
principles,, and judging from experience here as well as
abroad, it must have jailed, in a trial like those, to have
sustained either our pecuniary operations, or ita own,
in strict good faith and in due vigor.
Without entering into details to illustrate this position,
it is necessary to notice only the single circumstance,
that the bank of England, during a severe war, suspend
ed specie payments near a quarter of a century, and
that neither of the two United Statea Banks existed so
as to be obliged to encounter such a peril. But aince
the last spring, the notes of the second one, to the
amount of several millions, have been allowed to sink
into the mass of irredeemable and depreciated paper, |
though issued under all the high aecurities and sanc
tions of a charter from the General Government, and
with very large funds, still under the control of officers
and trustees deemed by the stockholders exceedingly
skillful, and bound by both law and contract to redeem
those notes in specie, and on demand.
The systems which have been propoaed in this report,
if adopted, could not be expected to continue entirely
exempt from losses by that unfaithfulness or casualty to
which all trusts in human affairs are exposed. But they
may be surrounded with atrong safeguards, and would
very probably soon be enabled to answer in a satisfac
tory manner every purpose of the Government, in its
condition so different in many respects from that which
formerly exiated, and which is the paramount cause
urged for the incorporation of our two United States
Banks. Its finances are not now burdened with a na
tional debt of from seventy to one hundred and thirty
millions, and, besides our ordinary expenses, with the
annual payment, on account of principal and interest, of
from ten to sixteen millions, to be first widely collected,
and then transferred and disbursed at only a few points
on the seaboard. It is now with a yearly revenue, re
duced from thiity and forty millions to near twenty, and
probably soon to be onl\ sixteen or seventeen, and
with a course of expenditure which can readily be dimi
nished so as not much, if any, to exceed the revenue in
a natusal stale of business. In large sections of our
country, and in such a state of business, this expendi
ture happens nearly and very conveniently to corres
pond in amount with the receipts in the same sections.
We are, likewise, reposing in peace, with very su
perior means of communication, whether by mail or
personal intercourse, and with a greatly increased and
increasing portion of gold in the currency, to render
distant transfers and payin-mts more easy. It is mani
fest, therefore, that our fiscal concerns will be greatly
lessened in amounl as well aa difficulty, unless we shall
be visited by wars or other scourges involving us in
debts and embarrassments of an aggravated character,
and which, fortunately, no sufficient reason appears for
anticipating at an early day.
Under the proposed arrangements, the transfers fro-n
certain points could bo often effected, when required
by the department for public purposes, not only with
case, but so as greatly to facilitate the domestic ex
changes, in the mode of employing drafts suggested in
a subsequent portion of this report. In a rnorp natural
and ordinary state of receipts and expenditures, like
that in 1834, the transfers required to a great distance
would not exceed two or three millions during the year ;
and almost the whole of them were, at that time, in
such a direction as to yield a profit, rather than bo ex
pensive to the banks which made them.
If the Treasurer were required to receive payment in
aivance, at certain convenient points, for all lands sold,
as has once been the construction of the act of 1820,
the probability is, that all the unfavorable transfers
rendered necessary would become quite unimportant in
amount, and less expensive than the transfer of specie
and paper has been heretofore, from the distunt land
offices to the nearest depositn banks, before much of it
was paid to the public creditors. It will be seen that,
by these modes of keeping the public money, it would
not be indispensable to employ any banks as a prescribed
part of the system, although it might somrti.im be con
| venient to use them as individuals do, and as subordi
nate fiscal officers often do, in other countries, for the
deposite and transfer of large sums, and particularly for
special depositcs, when looking meroly to safety and
an early occasion to use the mouoy.
No act of Congress, until the charter of the last
Bank of the United States in 1816, required the public
money in the Treasury to bo kept on depositc in any
bank whatever. The whole subject was left to the dis
cretion of this department. Even that charter permit
ted the Secretarv of the Troasury to remove tho depo
sites froin the Bink of the United States, when he
thought proper.
In the supplemental report from this department, in
IS?!, on the keeping and disbursing of the public mo
ney, a state of things like the present was adverted to
and' considered. It was observed, in regard to such
an occurrence, that it will then " become necessary to
devolve these duties on some receiver or collector al
ready in office, or some safe agent not now in office, as
ha* been the pr.ictice for years in tin* country in pay
ing pensions at convenient places, near whicli there was
no State Bank or branch of the United States Bank,
and as has long been the usage in some countries of
Europe, by having tho revenue in certain districts
chiefly received, kept, and transmitted through private
agents and brokers."
B it it waa added that "thonghthefise.il operations
of the Government "could, undoubtedly, still proceed
throusfh the personal agencies In-lore mentioned," and
without any banks, State or .National; vet '? it would
be at some inconvenieneo and increase of expense, un
less remedied in a manner that may hereafter be deve
loped, and would not, in the opiuioutif this department,
and in the present condition of things, be so eligible a
system as the present one ; because brinks, though ex
posed to so ne dangers and evils, and though not believ
ed to be necessary for the fiscal purposes of any Go
vernment, and much less of one in the present happy
financial situation of ours, are frankly acknowledged to
be, in many respects, a class of agents, economical, con
venient, and useful."
The use of State Banks h id then heen adopted, and
was pfOeoeding satisfactorily. For more than two
year* aHer, it continued to lie in successful operation,
so fir a* regarJed both convenience ami safety. But
now, inoit of the State Banks have ceased to pay specie
even for their o vn notes, and mmvhave paul out. if
not issued, small bills, so as no: to be in a situation
either to lie retained or to become fiscal agt\H?, in con
formity to the requisitions of the deposite act. A few
others, who are m a legal situation to be selected, de
cline to receive the p.ildic money under some of the
conditio n prescribed tiy tho act.
Nor is any National Bink in existence, or, independ
ent of its inexpediency in a political view, supposed to
be capibleof hinny e*ta!?ll?S?'d constitutionally Hence
it is rnsptwtfullv submitted to Congress, oud?r all the
above considerations, whether the earl/ adoption of
one of the plans proposed in not projier, auJ would not
be highly conducive to tli? p lb.'ic interests.
(T.i he rmirlu led.)
TWKNTI-I-JKTH ^dnobehmT^
extra BSSSiON.
IN SENATE
WivmiptT, Sepi 6.
Mr. HUBBARD moved ? resolution to amend tlx
33d rule of tbe Senate The rule provide* for ibe ap
pointment of i Committee on tbe District of Columbia.
The tnwinnl pupuasd to add, a Committee M Pa
tenia and iho Patent Office. He aaked for tile conud
aration of the resolution at thia time
Mr. CLA V, of Keutucky, reminded the Senator that
resolution* to alter tbe r lea were to lie one day for
eonaideration, and he hoped this would lake tbe regular
courae
Mr. HUBBARD said be had not anticipated any
objection to hi* motion ; but a* it waa objected to, he
would subetitute a motion that the Senate will to-mor
row proceed to the election of the Standing Commit
tee*.
Mr. CLAY said he had desired to put a question to
gentlemen on the other aide, who would be able to an
awer him. He deaired to learn whether it waa intended
to urge at thia aeaaion the appointment of all tbe Stand
ing Committeca, or only of Committee* to conaider the
?pecial aubjecta referred to tliein by tbe Message of the
President. Tbe President had informed them that lie
had called them together for a particular purpoae ; his
mesaage had also stated to them what that purpoae waa ;
and that when tbey had finiahed tins work, he would
send them back to their home*. Now it had been a*
inconvenient for him to leave home at this eeasou of the
year, aa it could have been to any man ; and no one
could be more gratified with the opportunity of return
ing to hia home than he would ; but be would never
couaent to leave thia Capitol, unlea* something had
been done for the relief of tbe country. He knew of
no utdity in appointing the Standing Committees. The
?ubjecta referred to them by the message were special,
and none of the general concern* of the country are
adverted to. No reference is made to the contest on
the subject of the North Eastern Boundary, or any of
the subject* connected with our foreign relation* ; and
therefore he could ace no benefit to be derived from the
appointment of the Standing Committee on that aub
ject.
Mr HUBBARD said a few word* in answer. He
conaidered the appointment of the Committees aa pro
per, because it had been the course regularly adopted
at the commencement of every session. He desired to
return home aa much as any one, and hoped the bu*ine*a
before them would be transacted, so as to give them an
opportunity of returning home in a few week*; and
that, with more time, something would be done to re
lieve the country. It was true this was a special ses
sion of Congress, but the people had * right to present
themselves here with their petitions, and it was proper
that there should be Committees to whom these peti
tions could be sent for examination.
The motiou was agreed to without a division, and
The Senate then adjourned.
Thvisday, Sept. 7.'
The Senate proceeded to consider the resolution of
fered yeaterday by Mr. HUBBARD, to amend the 33d
rule, by inaerimg, alter the proviaion for a Committee
on the District of Columbia, a provision for a Commit
tee on Patent*, and the Patent Office.
The resolution being under consideration,
Mr. GRUNDY advocated it* adoption in a few
word*, in which he stated that hitherto tbe buainea* re
lating to the Patent Office had been referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary and the conaequence waa
that thrs Committee wa* overburdened with buaine**
which did not properly come within the sphere of it*
duties. He had no doubt that in the hand* of a sepa
rate Committee, it* interests would be much better at
tended to, than they could be by any other Committee.
The resolution was adopted.
Mr. BUCHANAN preaented a memorial from cer
tain delegates assembled at Erie, in Pennsylvania, pray
ing for an appropriation to make a MacAdamized turn
Eike, to connect the national road with Lake Erie. As
c did not expect that, at this *e**ion, any other than
the apecial business for which Congress waa convened
would lie taken up for consideration, he would merely
discharge his duty by laying the memorial on the table
and asking that it might-be printed, which motion was
agreed to.
Mr. BUCHANAN also preaented a memorial from
the Truaiees of the Alleghany College, asking for a
grant of land, which waa also laid on the table and or
dered to be printed.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
On motion of Mr. HUBBARD, the Senate proceeded
to execute the order of yesterday, to elect the Standing
Committees according to the practice which requires
the election of the different Chairmen in the first place,
the Sennte balloted for the Chairman, and
Mr. Buchanan was elocted Chairman of the Commit
tee on Foreign relations.
Mr. Wright to be Chairman of the Committee on
Finance.
Mr. King of Alabama, to be Chairman of the Com
mittee on Commerce.
On counting the ballota for Chairman of the Commit
tee on Manufacture*, it appeared that Mr. Nilea had 21
vote*, and that only 25 ballots were put into the ballot
boxes.
The Vice Preaidcnt having announced the fact that
no quorum had voted,
Mr. CLAY, of Kentucky, expressed a wiah that the
tedious process of balloting might be dispensed with,
and that the Vice President should, by unanimous con
sent, appoint tho Committees si this extra session.
Mr. GRUNDY expressed his acquiescence on the
proposition now that it had been made by the Senator
from Kentucky. It would be the most convenient and
agreeable mode, but he should call to the recollection
of that Senator that it was by the vote of his political
friends, aided perhaps by his vote, that the mode of
electing the Committees hsd boen introduced, and the
appointment taken from the presiding officer.
Mr. CLAY said it was true that, such was the case.
At that tiino the opinions of the President pro tcm. on
political subjects differed from tho?e held by the majori
ty of the Senate, and as he (Mr. C.) always maintained
that the Committees should speak the sentiments of the
majority, he conaidered tbe change proper at the time it
was madu. The opinions of the present presiding offi
cer coincided with those of the majority of the Senate,
and therefore the nmc principle would be carried out
by committing the *p[toiritment to hi* hand* for this par
ticular occasion
Some further conversation took place, in which Mr.
King of Alabama, Mr. White, ana Mr Hubbard took
part, and in which it was expressed as the general sense
that the change on this occasion should not invalidate
the existing rules. The motion was agreed to, and the
Vice President was authorized to appoint the Commit
tees
On motion of Mr. King, of Alabama, the Senate
proceeded to the consideration of Executive business
for the purpose of having read some Executive mes
sages received to-day ; and. after sitting for a short time
with closcd doors, the doors were re-opened, and
The Senate adjourned.
Frway, Sept. 8.
The Chair announced tho following as the list of the
Standing Committees :
Foreign Relations?Messrs. Buchanan, Tallmadge,
King of Ala , Clay of Ky., and Rives.
Finance?Messrs. Wright, Webster, Nicholas, Ben
ton. and Hubbard.
Commerce?Messrs. King of Ala., Davis, Brown,
Rugglea, and Norvell.
Manuftulitres?Messrs. Niles, Buchanan, Preston,
Strange, and Pierce.
Agriculture?Messrs, Smith of Conn., Spenco, Linn,
McK '?an, and Black.
Military Affairs?Messrs. Benton, Preston, Tipton,
Wall, ami Alien.
Militia?M??*r*. Wall, Swift, Clay of Ala., Mouton,
and Smith of Indiana.
Naeal Affairs?Messrs. Rives, So.tthard, Tallmadge,
Cuthliert, and Will la ins.
Pablie La mis?Messrs. Wulker, Fulton, Clay of
Ala . Itome, and Prentiss
Public /,(?./ Claims?Messrs. Linn, Sevier, Bay
ard. Mouton, and Ti'von.
Italian Affairs?Messr*. Whit*, Sevier. Tpton,Linn,
and S vift.
Claims ? Mc**r*. Hubbard, Tipton, Crittenden,
Strings *?4 Yoi
JnUicmrf?Messrs. Grundy, Morris King of G* ,
Wall, and Clavton.
Pott O/Juc ai l Post Ron Is?Messrs. Robinson,
Grimdv, Kmglit, Brown, ond Nile*.
Jlmids ami Canals? Messrs. Tipton. McKran, Nich
olas, Yo.iug, and William*
Pensions?Messrs. Morns, Sovier, Pre litis*, Pierce,
and Rome.
Ri tmln'.inntuy Claims?Messrs Brown, \\ lule, Crit
tenden, Norvell, and Smith of Conn
District of Columbia?Me**r?. Kent, King of Ala ,
Nicholas, R:nue. and Allen.
Patent* nu t Patent Office?Messrs. Rnggles, Stran ;e,
liavnrd, I'rintiSK, and Koliinson.
Contingent expenses ?/ Semite?Messrs McKean,
Fulton, and Blnrk.
Kngrnsscil Hills?Meter.* Clay of Ala , Smith of
Indiana, and Norvell.
Knraft il 0.(1$? Momts S.nitH of Conn , Lvori, and
Mien.
On motion of Mr WRIGHT, So much of the
01 ^ or the United Stat*., a. related
IB* i"? OC*' and ,Uo ?be Report of the 8ecreu
ry of the I nmmuf on the subject of the Finances, wele
reft rre<l to the Committee on Finance
Oq motion of Mr. GRUNDY, So much of the Me.
<X d. of u- Suui ?
maMow connectedI with the Judiciary, a/Ml so much ol
i I**1 of ?he Secretory of the Treasury u re fen Ui
MiiuUr metier*, were nfcrnxl to the Committee on Ju
dietary.
Mr NICHOLAS presented the memon.l of the New
Oneene Chamber of Commerce, praying for the esta
blishment of a National Bank, wh?h waT referred to the
Committee on ruience,
(^n motKH.ofMr KUBBARD, The Senate p?K*ed
to Hie consideration of Executive business and then
the door* were re-opened.
WHITE offered resolutions indicative of the
feeling of the Senate on the death of Col. J. Stahdi
ksb, of I em lessee, a member of the Houee of Repre
sentatives, which were unanimously adopted sfter some
i fum? m **r of Alabama, and Mr. WHITE
the former contending that it waa a departure from the
I practice of the Senate, to take notice of the demise of
a member of the other House, and the latter atating that
| if so, it waa desirable to change the practice.
! On motion of Mr. GRUNDY, it was ordered that
when the Senate adjourn, it adjourn to meet on Mon
L.
The Senate then adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WKDNBanar, September Oth.
On motion of Mr. ALLEN, of Vermont, the clerk
was directed to furnish each member with a printed dia
gram of the Hooae
PRINTER TO THE HOUSE
The House having then resumed the unfinished busi
ness of yeaterday, which was the election of a Printer to
this Houae.
Mr. BR0N80N, of N. York, offered a resolution
that the farther balloting be suapended until the third
Monday of September instant; and that in the mean
while the Clerk of the House be autbonaed to employ
somebody to execute the printing ordered by the House,
on the same terms as heretofore prescribed.
Mr. CUSHING opposed the resolution, as proposing
to do indirectly what the Houae, by a vote of ItS to 100,
had yesterday refused to do.
Mr. GRENNELL moved to lay the reaolution on
the tablo.
j? On this motion Mr. HAYNES demanded the yeas
and naya; which, being ordered and tafcen- resulted
as followa, vi?. Yeas 109, naya 114 : so the motion to
lay on the table was rejected.
The question then recurring on the reaolution,
Mr. PICKENS of South Carolina, offered an amend
ment requiring that the contract for printing ahould be
given to the lowest bidder, under the regulation* hereto
fore prescribed for the execution of the work in the reso
lution of 1819, and that this arrangement ahould continue
until the House should otherwise direct. Mr. P. depre
cated with great warmth, the connexion subsisting be
tween the House and the political preaa. through which
the public money wan employed to defame and blacken
the best and purest men of the country, and urged that
no more favorable time than the preaent could be pre
sented for effecting an entire and perpetual separation of
the Press from this House.
Mr. SHERROD WILLIAMS moved an amendment
to the amendment, containing a proviso that the work
should be let to some person who waa not an editor of
any newspaper.
After a brief discussion, however, Mr. Williams
withdrew it.
Mr. COLES, of Virginia, offered an amendment to
the amendment, to attike out all the latter part of it, and
substitute tho appointment of a committee to inquire in
to the expediency of aeparating the emolumenta of the
printing done for this House from the newspaper presses
of the c?unjnr; but it waa rejected without debate
Mr. WISE opposed the amendment. The effect of
it, he said, would be to give the whole of the patronage
of the House to the Globe in addition to the patronage
of the Senate and of the Executive which it now had,
for the Globe could well afford to become the lowest
bidder for the work. He wished, moreover, he aaid, lo
continue the balloting, and give the 44 Conservatives,**
a proud and honorable name for a party?a chance.
He wished also to aee who will give way in this strug
gle.
After a discussion, in which Messrs. McKENNAN.
WISE, UNDERWOOD, ROBERTSON, PICKENS
BRIGGS, GLASCOCK, and HOFFMAN tood part.
Mr. REED moved an amendment, requiring that the
quality of tho paper used be provided for in the contract,
which was agreed to.
The amendment of Mr PICKENS was then carried '
by yeas and nays, as follows ; Yeas 1 IS, nays 109.
Mr. WISE moved as a substitute for the resolution
as amended, a proposition, for the equal diatribution
of the printing, during the preaent aeaaion, between the
Intelligencer and the Madtsonian.
Mr. McKENNAN moved to lay the whole subject
on the table ; agreed to.
The Houae then resumed the balloting* for Printer,
Meaara. L. WILLIAMS, HUMENand CLARKE act
ingas Tellers, and the results were as follows:
SIXTH BALLOT.
Whole number of votes .... 230
Necessary to a choice - . . - 116
Galea and Scaton .... 93
Blair and Rives .... 107
Thomas Allen .... 07
Blank ..... 3
SEVENTH BALLOT.
Whole number of votes, - _ . OH
Necessary to a choice, - . . -lift
Gales <Sc Seaton, , - . . . g|
Blair A Rives, ..... joi
Thomas Allen,
Blank, \
EIGHTH BALLOT.
Whole number of voles, ... 227
Necessary to a choice, - - . -114
Gales <V Seaton, ....
Blair dc Rives, ..... j0]
Thomas Allen, ..... M
Blank
Mr TAYLOR, of New York, now offered ? resolu
tion that the Printer for the last Congreas continue to
executc the printing of the House until another should I e
appointed.
Mr. PA'lTON moved to lay this resolution on the
table ; on which motion
Mr. TAYLOR demanded tho yeas and nays.
Which being taken, resulted as follow* : Yeas 123
nays 100.
So the motion to lay on the table was carried.
Mr. BOON rose to offer a resolution.
Mr. TALIAFERRO inquired whether it was in or
der to receive any resolution while the House was en
gaged in the election ?
The CHAIR decided in the affirmative, in the absence
of any contrary rule.
The resolution being read, proposed that the votes
for printer lie given vita tore.
On this resolution Mr. CAMBRELENG demanded
the yeas and nays ; which were ordered.
Mr. PA rrON wished the resolution extended to all
future elections, of every kind.
Mr. E\ ERE IT moved that the resolution lie on the
table.
On this motion Mr BOON demanded the yeas and
nay*, which were ordered, and being taken, stood as
follows, vix. \ e.is 89, nays 132 ; so the motion to lav
on the table was rejected.
Mr PA'lTON moved to amend the resolution so as
to extend the resolution to the election of all other of
ficers, which motion, after some debate, was agtced to
The discussion was continued till B o'clock, when, with
out taking the question, the House adjourned.
Thursday, September 7th
The House resumed the consideration of the resolu
tion yesterday offered by Mr. Boon, requiring thoolcctiou
of Printer to tie made viva rnct,
Mr UOUEli 1 SOX moved to strike out all *fter the
word ?' resolved," and insert the following ;
1 Ilnolnrrl, Thst tho public printing ought to be
separated, as fir as practicable, from the politicil
press.
2 KcuJrril, That to afford time to digest a phut,
Irjvtng that object in view, the Clerk, until f irther or
der, contract for all printing ordered by this House, 11;.
011 the terms and in the manner prescrtlied by the jorit
resolution of the 3<l March, 1819, distributing the sjme
among the proprietors of the several printing office >. .
not exceeding four, in the city of Washington, who "irl
execute it on those terms, providing they will undertake
to execute it equally, or in sucli proportions as thry
will contract to execute it.
Mr. Robertson said the question involved 1:1 the ret*"
lutioti, wss 0?ic of derp interest, but he did not con?.
der tins the ti ne to jo into a discussion of the inatt' 1,
we have other and rii|??rt.irit matters to take into ro.r?i
deration, nod h?' ho|x d the tune of the House would
not miiy bo consumed in a discussion of a matter ol
tins kind He had introduced the piopo*Kiou to get rid
of the d.fficults i.i iv'.i.ch we have f??.i,id ours.-lvrt .