Constitutional Whig. [volume], December 30, 1825, SUPPLEMENT, Image 5

About Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832

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of ttir m. gtatrs.
(■o-'^retts i* roca.it in's of Tuesday, Dee. yJO.
!v the House, ok Kei’husentativf.s_Among the
petitions presented, was one, by Mr. Hamilton, of South
Carolina, Irom Thomas Cooper, President of the South
( uruliiia Coliege, piaying that he may be refunded the
urn mill of a fine which lie paid to the United States by
reason of a conviction under the sedition law. The
in unorial and documents were referred to the Commit
tee on the Judiciary.
Ori motion of Mr. Trimble, a resolution previously
offered by hi.n anil laid on the table, was taken into
consideration.' The resolu'ian requests tho President
to lay before the House the Mesagoof A|r. JctferMin
ree'-nniemlmg an expedition across the continent to the
tnniiih of the Columbia river; together with any other
d" "t nent or information which he may possess, and
tin k proper, to communicate. in lelatiuii to the same
su'ij -et.
M Fors; 'b presumed lliat the message require J,
wa of*i to the House, and might lie found on the files;
a - • . ini (he President, therefore, he thought neocs
s iry.
I r. Trimble replied, that !>e had diligently sought for
i'. »s well on itic flics as elscwliere, and not being able
• '* find i: conclu.ic • that it has been mislaid. His rc
I'U’ii would replace it. and probably bring before tfit?
}f "is? other i- ful documents in relation to the subject.
Mr„ W'ii-kiitT: suggested the probability of the ines
r-'< having bg.-n seiu to tho Senate, confidentially, and
t ' igiit that it might yet be under the injunction ofsc
T imhlc expressed himself thankful for the sug
/ >! urged that the circumstance of tlie Mes
i g been confidentially communicated, was an
Uv evidence of its importance, then, aud at
i it moment.
filslo.i - v<i lie well remembered, that the Mes
- • confidential and made to hoth Houses, hut ho
* • >i say whether the injunction of secrecy had
"' '(i lemuved. It recommended, lie believed,
inpriaiion to tlie object mentioned in Mr.
dc’s res ilu'i hi. The resolution was I hen adopted,
i m iam of Mr. Cmnbreleng, the Committee of
• Mil ’Means were instructed to inquire into the
i 1 jenny of extending to two years, the term within
i i merciian.i.so .nav hu exported with the benefit
. iitnro; and of allowing the drawback of tho duty
• i 'He same without deductmn.
•' 'oMowmg^resuhitimi, laid on the table the day
by Mr Foray th, was next considered and adop
’'I'd, That tho P-rrshltnit he requested to cornmuiii
itiit Housi* ropjca of such portions nf the conrspon
• • ■' "'t'Pii tin* U11tied States .ud Croat Britain, on the
• the Convention for suppressing the Slave Trade,
■o ’ her; tnfoie been, ind which can be communi
c • '. lit det’iinnnt to the public interest.
tt si-. Mr. t ook. (lie Committee on the Pub
•-ere instructed to inquire into the expedien
g pro? isiott, by hrw. for the sale of the lead
' a!: spring? belonging to (tie United States,
i such manner as shall, h\ affording sufficient time
<< 'air competition in the purchase thereof, leave the
best nrjc’t* for the same.
O*. motion of Mr. Holcombe, tho 1 otnmiitec on Na
val l(Fairs wore instructed to enquire into the expedi
e.ncy of « t iwit- mg a s-.hnol or schools for the educa
tion of children in destitute circumstances, (the ions of
American niic-n to be preferred)to be articled toeeive
u 'n.a requir' d, on hoard of the public ships ot the Uni
ted Mates until one and twenty years of age; the ob
ject of the institution being to furnish the Navy from
vra- m tear. »v.«r • a number of competent and well ed
ucated petty < tic; >s.
On mb’ !••.( ot Mr. Whipple, the Committee on Mil
itr.r, Ml u; , wen- instructed tociiquite into the expe
diency of amending ’lit* act m iking provision for nrm
ilt§ the whole body of the Militia of the United States,
ps^'e 1 April 33d, tf.Olf. so that the arms provided by
virtue ot that net and transmitted to (he several states
composing i*m Union, and the territorises thereof, shall
bv each strafe and the territory be deposited inr proper
arsenals, to be provided by such state or territory, to be
delivered to *bc tniliiii thereof, only when they may be
cadet! into actual service.
M; . Henry submitted a resolution, which being im
poitan’, he asked might lay on the table, instructing
the t hi nrnittc-e on Military’ Affairs to inquire into the
e.xpr ciiency of e tabhshing a .Military Academy on the
Western waters.
On motion of Mr. White of Florida, the Committee
on ( .unmetce wee instructed to inquire into the expe
dictiev of increasing the dnty on Oranges.
Mr. Utah1- resolution requiring the President of the
United S’ .tcs to cause an examination of the waters of
F.ast Tennessee, with a view to the location oi the wes
tern Armory was again taken up. Tho question be
fore the House was, whether the igsolntibn should be
referred to tho Committee on Military Affairs; but at
the request of Mr: Mitchell of Tenn. the motion fur re
ference was withdrawn, and a long and uninteresting
debate ensue;!.—Members from Tennessee set forth the
gro.it advantages presented by the different sections of
Count.y in which tbev lived, for the proposed establish
ment; mi l .i-kod, they said, nothing but an accurate ex
nmimtioa of (lie country, and a fair comparison with
other sections of the West, which Ind been explored
ao I surveyed for the* purpose. Thev were opposed,
principally, by’gentlemen from Pennsylvania, who con
tended that the country embraced in the resolution bad
already been sufficiently examined, and another place,
l’ittsburg, reported by tho Commissioners as the most
eligible noir.t on the western waters: they therefore re
ii<-.ved the motion for refertiug tho subject to the Com
mittee on Military Affairs, which course was finally
adopfe !.
’’ enrol'ed Hill for the prevention of desertion from
l’i' er-ny cf t! e United States, by withholding a part of
th ■ S i! hers’ monthly pay, was taken up by the (louse;
h i! t eting with unexpected opposition, it was laid on
li»e ' iMfl until to morrow.—[Alexandria (laxellc.
. V>\lrnet of Congress Proceedings of JPcdncsilay.
In t:ie Houre of Representatives—Mr. Slorrs, pre
seetr,| the memorial of Mrs. Susan Decatur, widow of
•ho late Commodore Stephen Decatur, praying Con
gi : ss, in behalf of herself and the officers and crew of
the United States Ketch Intrepid, whose gallant con
duct in the recapture and burning of the frigate Phila
delphia, is well known, to award the same Compensa
lion, that has been so liberally bestowed in other cases,
o; a like character. The petition was accompanied bj
documents and legal opinions, and referred to the Com
mittee on Naval Affair •«
Mr. Mc.Hane, from tho Committee of Ways and
Means, reported a bill, making provision that the ap
propriation estimates of the various Departments, be
reported tr) Congress .<t an rtulier period in the ses
M.ms than heretofore; which bill was twice read, and
icfcrrcd to the committee of the whole, to-morrow.
^ On motion of Mr Strong of N. Y. the Committee on
Pii.jlic Hands, were iustr ’rtcd to inquire into the expe
diency of appropriating a f*>rtion of tho nett annual
proceeds of the sales and entries of 1110 public lands,
exclusively for the support of common schools, and of
apportioning the same among the several states, ;n pro
po> tion to the representation of each in the House of
jRcnrosen rlivcs.
On motion of Mr. Van Rensselaer, a select commit*
fr-c of five members w;i9 ordered to he appointed on the
pu t of tho House, jointly with a committee to be ap
l; (iulc l on the part of the Senate, to inquire and report,
rf any, what measures are necessary to be adopted for
.the preservation of the Capitol, Capitol Square, and
(he other Public Grounds, within the Crty of Washing
ton.
On motion of Mr. Powell of Virginia, the Commit-;
tee nil Public Hands were instructed to inquire into the
expediency of providing by some general law, for the
redemption of all lands,sold for direct tax, and purcha
sed by the agents ollhe general government.
On motion of Mr. McDuffie, a Select Committee of
seven members was ordered to he appointed, with in
structions to inquire into the practicability of making
such alterations in the Hall as will render it more suit
s' lo fur the purposes of a deliberate assembly.
The complaint against the present arrangement is
Ibe difficulty of hearing, which Mr. McDuffie thought
might be obviated by placing a horizontal glass sash
over the whole IlaJJ; rcsling on ths coj-Qicc aboye the
pfflrfr?. f
On motion of Mr. McLauc of Delaware, the House
resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, Mr.
Markley in the Cbair, on the bill, making appropria
tions for the different classes of Revolutionary Pen
sioners. After filling the blanks, the hill was reported
fo the House, and ordered to be engrossed and read a
third time to-morrow.
On motion of Mr. Vinton of Ohio, the House resol
ved itself into a Committee of the Whole on the hill,
authorising the s;.lc ot (ho Public Lands reserved in
Ohio and other new states, for the support of Schools;
and also authorizing the proceeds of sue!- sales to be
vested in stocks, the interest of which, to he applied to
that purpose.
Several amendments were offered and rejected, and
after a debate of upwards of an boar, the hill was re
ported to the House, and ordered to be engrossed and
i*ad a third lime to-morrow:
The I louse then adjourned.
Congress proceedings of Thursday.
In nir. Si.x,t ri..—Mr. Buulignv of Louisiana and
Mr. Pazcwcll of Virginia, appeared in tbe Senate and
took their teats.
A Rill was reported by Mr. Harrison, from the Mili
tary Committee, “to prevent dcsellion in the armv,”
and one was introduced by Mr. Benton, “to graduate
the pi ice of the public lands.” similar in its provisions
to that brought forward by this gentleman, at the last
session.
A resolution was offered by Mr. Hendricks instruct
ing t1’*! Committee on Hoads aud Eanals, to enquire into
tbe expediency of aiding the state, in opening a canal
communication between Lake Erie and tbe Wabash
river, by making a grant of the public lands, contiguous
to Ike site: and another by Mr. Eaton of Tenu. calling
upon the War Department, for information in relation
to the appropriation of the last session, for removing the
oosfriictions of navigation in tbe Ohio river.
•Mr. Can liucrcn's resolutions, in relation to Hoads
and Canals, were laid on the tabic, on his own motion,
that he might be able to call them up for discussion at
some future period. About half an hour was passed in
the consideration of Executive business, after which, the
Senate adjourned to Monday.
in tiik llousn or Kepresentatives. Many peti
tions were presented, but none of a general character.
Several resole ions which had been laid on the table,
were called up for consideration, and after some thscus'
sion and amendment, were again laid on the table._
Those will bo reported when finally disposed of.
,1/r. McLnne, from the Committee of Ways and
Means, to mhich was referred the petition of Daniel
Clarke, made a report accompanied by a bill, to extend
the time allowed for the redemption of lands sold for
Direct Taxes in certain cases; which bill was read the
first and second lime, and committed to a Committee of
the whole House to-morrow.
J*/i\ Jlfoorc, of Kentucky, from the Select f’ommit
tee to whom was referred the memorial of the Kentucky
Institution for the tuition of thr; Deaf .and Dumb, made
a favourblc report, accompanied by a bill, appropria
ting a township of land for the benefit of that institu
tion, with authority to sell the same and apply the pro
ceeds to the object in view.
Mr. Webster from the Committee on the Judiciary,
reported two Bills in relation to the Supreme Court anti
Judiciary; the one, “Further to amend the Judicial
system of the United States;” the other, "to alter the
time of holding the Supreme Court of tbo United
States.” The first, provides that the Supreme Court
shall hereafter consist of a Chief Justice and nine as
sociate justices, any six of whom, shall be a quorum;
and further provides for the organization of the Judi
cial Districts of the United States, so as lo correspond
to the new arrangement. The second simply changes
the time of meeting of the Supreme Court, aft»*r the
year 1826. from the first Monday in February, annual-'
ly, to the second Monday of January, annually. These
bills were respectively read a first and second time, and
committed to a Committee of tlic whole House for the
1st Monday in January next.
On motion of Air. Wicklifle, the Committee on
Roads and Canals, were instructed to inquire into the
expediency of authorising a subscription m behalf of
the United Stales, of a portion of the capital stock in
the Louisville and Portland Canal Company.
On motion ot Air. Alhston, a select committee of sev
en was appointed lo inquire into the expediency of al
tering the Flection Laws of the several states, so as to
i provide that no election shall take place for ATernbers of
j the House of Representatives of the U. States, until
the term of service has expired for which they bad been
■ elected, and that the committee have leave to report bv
I bill or otherwise.
Jlr Stew'trl submitted the following resolution, which
lies on ihe (able one day agreeably to rule:
Ilcxolvtrf, Ynnt the Secretary of War be di-ce.te.l to
lay hetore this House, srich facts and information as this
department may afford, showing the importance' oflhc
"Dismal Swamp Canal” to the United Stales in a mili
tary and commercial point of view; and to state bow
far the plan proposed for its execution is in conformity
with the views of that Department.
Many other resolutions, calling on the President and
| Meads of Department*, for important information, were
laid on the table, and will be fully noticed when they
come to be considered by the Mouse.
Too Speaker laid before the House the annual Re
port from the Treasury Department, which, on motion
of Mr. Lathrop, was referred to the Committee of Ways
and Means, and 6000 copies ordered to be printed.
The House then went into Committee of the Whole
on a private land claim, and consumed the balance of
1 the day in desultory debate, resulting in no decision.
I he following Committees not heretofore announced,
have been appointed in the House of Representatives,
al the present session, viz:
On the Territories.—Messrs. Strong, Mercer, Tom
luisoi), Cook. Vance, Drayton, McKee.
On the Memorial of (he Kentucky Institution for the
tuition of the Deaf and Dumb—Messrs Moot-e of Ken.
Pearce, Hines, Yonrg, Adams of Pa. Eastman, Jen
nings of Ohio.
On Bastrop's and M lisun Rouge's Land Claims_
Messrs. Brent, Whipple, Jacks, Gnrnsny.
On the Memorial of Dr. Kane rede, for the establish,
went »f a Eardne Institution — Mcssrs Wurtz, Condict,
Miller of X. Y. Carson, Heal)-.
On Enrolled Bit/s.—-Messrs. Isack3, Garnscy,
(House,) Mr. Knight, Senate.
Friday, Dec. 23.
The Senate did nof sit to day.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Claims of thf. Ex-PnEstoEisr.
.Mr. McCoy moved that the committee on claims be
discharged from the further consideration of theclaiins
of Mr. MonrnQ. There was so much business before
that committee, that it was impossible to do justice to
the other claimants whose cases were before that com
mittee and to the case of Mr. Monroe. He thought
that a select committer, having been raided on this sub
ject at tho last session, that committee would have a
good knowledge of the circumstances of these claims
and would be able to comr (o an earlier and more cor
rect decision on them. It was a case which involved
some important political considerations; and, taking
into view ail its relations and hearings, he though* the
best reference of the subject would he that to which hr
had adverted. With this impression on his mind, he
moved that tho subject be referred to a select com
mittee.
.Mr. .Mangum. (of N. C.) said it was with much re
gret that lie rose to resist the motion which had been
made by the able member of the committee on claims.
In making this opposition, ho might, perhaps, stand sin
gle and alone. Yet lie felt it a duly incumbent on him
to take the course he was now about to adopt, and he
must endeavour to fulfil it. With a view to the motion
to refer this subject to a select committee, and to take
it from tho committee on claims, it had been urged lhat
the last named committee had too much business before j
it, to enable it to do justice to this case. It would be
necessary for him to advert a little to the history of this
claim. At the last session of Congress the House re
ceived a message from Mr. Monroe, then President of
the United States, on the subject of these claims: this
message caused no slight sensation among th" members,
not only on account of tho principles which it involved
but the time r.hmcn for bringing the subject under the
fictice of the Houre.- At that»arc it was itnrossibfe «o
sa\ whether the chief motive by which the President
was influenced, was, to free his character from certain
imputations which were cast upon it, or to obtain, sim
ply, the settlement of an account. The message bore
that double aspect; and many wore at a loss to deter
mine which of the two motives was the most operative.
The case now stood on a different ground; and must he
regarded as only an application for the settlement of a
claim. At f a last session the subject was refei red to a
''.elect committee, to collect and report the evidence on
which the claim rested. That committee went into an
j examination of the subject, and reported all the evi
dence in the case which is now before the Mouse. It
was therefore, to be reasonably inferred, that most of
Lie labour which would arise out of the case, had been
already pcrlormeJ by that select committee. It was
only a lew days since, that the subject was revived; and
tne Mouse then determined to send it to the cun-nitteo
of claim*. After another interval of a few days, the
House is called upon to reverse this decision, and a pro
I osition is made to send it to a select committee. If the
statement was correct, snd he had no doubt such was
the opinion of the honorable member of the committee
who made this motion, (hat the committee had not the
lime to spare which was necessary to investigate (bis
claim, (bis would constitute some reason for sending tin;
subject to another committee. Hut, knowing, as he
did, the indefatigable industry of that committee, he
was of opinion that time would he found for the investi
gation, il the business of examination was ‘till left in its
hands. This is said to he a question involving matters
or national importance. His intellect rvas too obtuse
to understand tin's, llelieving that if it had obtained
this character for importance, it was entirely unmerited,
he could not consent to lend his consent to the error.—
It. indeed, it possessed that double aspect which origi
nally belonged to it. it might he referred to a select com
mittee, which might unite the two-fold character of a
committee on claims and a court rf honor. I Ie scorned
as much as auy member on the ll-mr, to appeal to the
mean and base passion of the multitude, with a view to
, .. oai, as no n:ul once before
been compelled to sta'e, on t'Js subject, ho would now
repeat, that there is no sincerity in our profession of
equal rights, if the lofty and powerful among our citizens
arc to he allowed the enjoyment of greater pririlei&s
then the poor arm the humble. In proportion to the
space which an individual occupies in the public e»e
should Ins acts be scrutinized, lu making this as«'or'
tmn. he disclaimed any thing like political’motive On
the contrary, he declared ir the face of Heaven. that
nothing would give him more pleasure, than to ;o«s'-ss
the power of conscientiously accordii g in a vote to ap- !
proprinte money to this distinguished individual. He
would then give his assent with as much sincere dcli»!ii |
as he did to the appropriation made at the last sessiqT io j
our beloved friend and guest, Gen. Lafayette. He
wished, in this government, the principle to sink deep. 1
not only into the hearts of the members of this House',!
hut of the nation, that, in questions of right, all indivi
duals arc to bo brought to the same stnnuard.
In the original message which had been received on
this subject, the ground taken, and it was an important
feature in this case, was, that it was of importance to
this nation that inquiry should be instituted into the con
duct of public officers, as a matter of precedent When
such a claim is urged on us, and the decision of the
House upon it is required as a precedent, ought we not
to guard the precedouf. Ought it not to be sent to a
committee, which lias fixed and rigid rules by which it
ts regulated whieh is as blind as justice, and as impar
tinl. It waB well known in the nation, as it is in this]
House, lhat a special committee is understood to be so i
lected from among those members who are friendly ti1
the individual claiming it. He begged the House to' be-1
lieve that he would cherish the fame of the distinguished
individual, whose claim was now before it, as touL.mis 1
ly as any member, and he was as desirous as any to
relieve Ins character from every thing like imputation
and lie was ready to yield every praise to the Committee i
raised last session, for us industry and integrity. But
it was understood to be the courtesy of the House to
infuse a considerable portion of friendly feeling into such
committees. rhe Committee cf C.Iairri3. on the con
trary, had established rule*' winch were rigid and indexi
ble; and os this case was to stand as a matter of prreo
dent, it ought to be settled under unbending* rule* rf
under the pressure of other business, the Committe of
Claims would be comprlled to postpone srine petition-,
wherefore should it not be discharged from the cens;<*V
ration of other Claims?—wh» expend this conrresV rmiv
to tho claim of the Kx-PiVsidonl? wherefore g,ve to
this claim a preference over Qihor claims which are ore
j sented? why should it not share the same fate with
others? 1 le again begged to repeat, that he scorned to
| sacrifice principle for the sake of gaining popular ap '
applause; but he felt that equal justice ought to be ex :
leaded to every citizen: and on this ground lie should 1
res'.st the present application. He knew of no easel
which had come before the House, with ail the pomp
and circumstance in which this case was clothed; and he !
w as not disposed, on that account, to distinguish it above 1
others. Believing, as he did, that the C ommittee of
C laims would have time at the next session, if th.-y had
not at present; and that, in this Committee, it would be I
tried by rules of inflexibility, be would desire to post
pone it. He knew very well the horror which was ex
pressed when this subject was taken from thp .Select
Committve and referred to the Committee on Claims- if
was not confined to the House, but extended throi’i-i.
tbe streets. He would not, however, take his opinion*
Irom the hisses or shouts of the multitude, in thi3 at
mosphere many things arc done from courtesy. If
claims were made, he held lhat it was not only tlm du'v
of the Mouse tti investigate, but to place all On the same
footing, and to make all subject to the same rules. He
regretted that if was his duty to come forward on tin*
occasion, or that such should have been bis conceptions
ofduty. Me had now performed it, however, and what
ever might be the decision of the Mouse on the subject
lie was prepared to bow to it. Hc knew there was a
mawkish sensibility—or what others might designate a
high chivalric spirit, which was prone to those courtc
sies to which he was opposed. But he would never al
low this mawkish feeling to divert him from the course
which he had been induced to take from a fcclin~ of
rectitude, and a sense of equal justice. Hehopecftho
motion of the gentleman from Virginia would not pre
vail. 1
| J'lr. Con sai(I !,c wished to sav one or two words in
reply to what had fallen from the gentleman from Nm fh
Carolina; for, although he regarded that gentleman’s
bon rable and sincere feeling as highlj as any me. he
con Id not hut think I119 course on this occasion affected I
with singularity. As to acts of courtesy, which the gen- '
tleman so strongly condemned, they were the comnn;, !
acts of the House, and formed a part of every d-i,V
practice, ft was the custom to refer ail extrao-dinan
cases to select committees. He had been a member of1
the House some M or 15 years, when references of th.s
description had not been made to Select Committee?.
I t was only three or four day's since, without going any
further back, that a case was referred ton select Coin
mittee, precisely lor the same reasons as suggest them
selves in this case—because the evidence was volumin
ous, aod it would not have been practicable for the
Committee to report this session. To go farther bark
Im might refer (o r!ie cases of Governor Tompkins, Go
vernor Blount, General 6t. Clair. General Lafayette
Beaumarchais, and fifty others. It was, indeed, not a
matter of courtesy only, but of justice, to refer this ca*o
to a select Committee. lie was generally as much op
posed to that course as the gentleman from North Caro
lina. He begged it to be understood, however, tli3t he
would not shrink froman> duly which might he imposed
upon him. If the House should decide to send this
daun to the Committee on Claims, he would do his
duty. The ca«o comes in with an i.npoitant aspect.
Great sums had passed through the hands of the claim
ant. and an imputation of misapplication had been cast
upon him. For this reason, it ought to go to a select
Committee, in order (hat justice should be dono to the
Lx-President ?.s well as to the Nation.
,Vr. Smmfln-9, of North Carolina, asked leave fo re
ply to sortie things which bad fallen from his colleague;
and m doing so. be *as desirous rather to correct some
of the opinions of that gentleman, than to express any
of his own. Reference had been made to the select
committee raised on this subject, at the last session; and
to the duties which bad been devolved upon it. The
dnty of lhal commi'ter. was confioed to the receiving of
such evidence as Mr. Moirroe thought proper to Jar be
| fore it. The gentlemau from North Carolina is there
lore mistaken in supposing that all the evidence neccs
sary I or a decision on this case, was collected by llial
committee. The labors of that committee were con
fined to the receipt of the evidence which was sent.
I .ie committee went into no equity, nor collected anv
evidence of a contradictory character. Tho evidence
collected by that committee, therefore, may beverv in
complete. Me was not t<> be un lor.tood as expressive
any opinion or, the claim— A great mass of the doeu
iT.eutary mtorination m y have had nothing to do with
lhe 'da,m ti the committed of claims had lu ked into
t ie case, it would have tumid the merits confined to a
very few points. Some imp nations had been cast upon
Mr. Monroe, especially m „>„ to the furni'iiro; hut
the committee had deemed ,• mmecessari to go into any
investigation on this point, toclrai the character of Mr.
Monroe. Il any error had been comm tted in tins par
ticu'ar, ,t was not the error of Mr. Monroe, but of
another individual. He thought-it piopcr that the sub
jecl should go to a s* lect comoiiPee; because. although
all the evidence which the President had thought it ne
cessary to send, wa3 before the committee, m t none ol
a contradictory nature was before it, if such should ho
found necessary to produce a clear an 1 just opinion of
the case; and although lie was not disposed to print to
iMr. Monroe any peculiar p,inbg(,3, ,ct |„> (hnngj... ,f
any other imlivnluul rfad prevented a claim of a similar
extent, it would have been sent to the charge of i se
lect committee. It was not to he exported that lim
committee on claims would find tune logo into that mi
nute examination which might be necessary tor it- own
satisfaction, and that of all parties. His colleague had
lalkcu of precedent. On that ground he might meet
bun with many caves of precedent. .Several cuv .
which require much le^s investigation, have been m>ui
to select committees, during the present session. Hi*
did not see how this case **uttM present a precedent. It
would rest on it« own merits. The claim must he pro
Rented and sustained by evidence. It could stand cm
no other ground than its own merits; and* the House
will so act as to do justice hetwaen the individual and
the nation. It would ho better, in every view, to send
it to a select committee.
. It. .b 'f.nnc. Of Del. stated that when this question
wa< first agitated, lie was so unfortunate as to diffier
ftoiii a majority of the House on the subject of its n »>
renefi. f4c lisd then thonghl that, in the fust instance,
toe account should have beensent to the proper account
mg officers «>i the Treasury; and if any difficulty had
arisen out of their report, it ought then to btiveheen
brought before Cong,ess. The House, however, had
taken a different view ot the subject, and had referred
'* JV a !p|cct committee. A few dnvv ago, when the
*ob)(’c( was again brought forward he' was in favor o: a
reference to tho committee on claims, and had vot"o
accordingly. He as now disposed, on a review of the
L,i' ‘iiiiaud^ea* 10 \ o.o r«r a selec t committee* Ilo
should dr* so upon one ground .alone; that, having un
derstood from the gentleman who was the organ of the
committee of claims, that it won 14 not he in the power of
that committee to do justice between :he individual ai»')
the nation, it ought to be sent to a special committee.—
l ie put entirely out of view the character of ihe in-ii\ i
•■-ial, and considered it merely as. the claim of n free
citizen, entitled to a lull measure of justice, but no
lhitj£ more.
( '*!/ said ho wished to correct the gentleman
from Delaware. Me had intended to express himself
to this dF.-ct, that the Committee could not do pisticc to
the individual in this case without lining injustice to the
other claims which were before it.
«d/i. ml 1 resumed. If.- had nut misunderstood
the gentleman. The Committee mu!.' not do ju-iu t
in this ease consistently with itsothci lu: rs. Although
he had before voted to refer the stiijen Ui (lie commit
tee o. c.r-.ims. yet if this committee multi not d • ju«tirc
is it not the duty of the House to g.v< a new direr for.
to the subject? It was not an ( xd?o,
theca c» would have gone to the regular committee, too
'* '’iut Committee was overburdened uitb bn- and
d-om the peculiar character of this clam -oni t mo d,
lusdeo. it must necessarily take n new ivfert ere The
cases of Tompkin,, Blount and others, had been advert
ed to; hut ho would refer the Home l* the case of the
Bastrop claim a! this very session. The ground
urged for sending that to a select committee, wa , f,t,
the nature of the case, and the pi..-*>orc other’ bus.
ness, that die regular < 'ommittee could not give it
investigation. The ccminitee cannot do jus-, ice to th..
claimant without neglecting it to others. He would
therefore, \ >te for a select committee. On these an,
other grounds he wool i have voted for the reference t,.
the committee on claims.
. * Dir;g/;1, of tass. feeling the same desire to d
justice with the gentleman from r.nrth Carolina, wa
re! compelled to differ from him. H «li the same ho c
of equal justice, lie could no( come to exact!-. the ^ utn
conclusions. He wished to extend (he same justice
which he wodldgive to every other citizen, to ihe d:s
(ingmslied i:.dividual w!io had n ,\v ti tired into t:ri\a'-v
and into penury. He would deal out to him in his Vs
tirement and poverty, the same jn-pice which v,;s oITer
cd to him when residing in the palace of the President.
Is not every individual entitled to the same justice,
whether ns a public character or a private citizen? it
would ask the gentleman from North Carolina, whoso
principles do loin so much honor, if we are not as much
bound to do justice to James Mu roe no- , as when ht
was President of tho United States? The committee
of Claims is overburdened with nusiness. \ select
committee had been before appointed on tie. subject._
A select committee would now do justice between the
claimant and the nation. The gentleman from North
Carolina Could not intend to impute to a select commit
anv motive which would lead it to a result mcmnp.i
hhh- with justice. It is because (he claimant is James
a Ion toe that you would refuse iqi i this committee._
Ha ! it been Hits claim of a private individual, it would
h ■ vr- go:i« to a S-|. ct committee wi«hrmt any opposition.
Bastrop and others have this privilege, which you would
donv to this d ii;n.mf standing in the same situation, and
aslring on the same irronnds
• Vr. .Mangum was dc-mnis noth) h. misunderstood
as lo the motive* by which he wa* instigated. He ho
petl that he should be incapable of an act of injo-tice*
lie wished to shew th • the r;.-c‘ which had been ie!if-l
on were not anal.igmi r0 •!,; e-se. i)<> ih, v stand on
the same bases? I* Hi-.» Bastrop ora Tomi kius<i n,
\’o. herein is the dili'.i. no-.. Odrrs came e. i !s . |,.„,c
a« me.e individuals claim jr, !Rt. l ;,.s
of the Ibesi-J. nt ,(f the fbuted .‘■bates. 1; canir !.• the
House as a precedent He had turned to the u.. ,, •
itself, and found it slated, that the ; uhlic inight find ad
vantage in the* recedent it would give. i yt. nthc: ca
sex, iiirrrfnre. bore no sunilarit, in f!,;--, p, ,,
claim from the Chief Magistrate—it con os Hon a
in the imposing form of a message not the bumbler
sliaj.c of a petition; with the additional r.-nemnslunoe
tbr.l it is to constitute a pireedent. It (>, n giv .»
this important character, let it be a *-fc o . o b i
w hich we establish. He believed the committer ofla-t
session entitled to all praise. He was only ilr.in-iis m
sn-lain (lie opinion that in select commiltr, s ib,-o- i, -x
always a strong infusion of friendly feeling, ro.it I Un
original committee he again raised, he had no doubt it
would do justice as strictly as the committee on Claims.
Is »' to be supposed that in a Congress containin'- so
manv new members, -even persons, taken indiscrimi
nately. «’»l| h"”"- what rules should be adopted. As this
case is different from all others, ns it is a single and an
insulated rase coming from the Chief Magidiaie—io
the form of a message—-and as a precedent—the Houwe
ought to art guardedly. He would again repeat (hero
was not an individual who would guard with more jea
lousy the reputation of Mr. Monroe, or would vo.ewitb
more pleasure, a s.,m of money to him if it was r.coded
and just. But while he had these feelings, he mu«t at
the same time retain his discretion; and plaro the sub
ject on the same ground as other cases. Ho thought i
an insulated case- He felt but littlo personal anxiety.
It was no consequence to him as an Individual, al
though it might he of great importance to the nation._
He honed the motion for a select committee would not
prevail.
The question was then put to refer the subject to a
select committee, and was carried in (he afirniativc_
ayes 100.
The committe was then ordered to consist,of sev-n
members.
•Mr. M'Lane, from the commi'lteo on Way? and
iVIc&CTj !9pcrtcu u I;..# the inij)ffrw3tirTj of
a stniuc of Alexander Hamilton, free of dutyTvHn^
IT ' 11 ^ r '" <0 a,!^ committed) and made ihe cyder of
Ju: (.a v ...r totnoriow, and ordered to be printed.
I ho Speaker Did before the House a letter from Dr.
James ..truth; which was referred to the select com
mittee on Vaccination.
The following resolution, offered yesterday by JUr*.
Slewart, of Penn, was taken u*\- ' ^ iB
ftesolfrd. That tin- Sec rrtnry hc dirmted* to la cl
biMiire this House so. lt fans mid ...formation as his IXpai't
mi nt limy afford, showing tin* importance of tire “JDbninl
Swamp Canal” to the baited States, in a military on I
cnnm.arc.nl point of view; and D stair how far the plan
proposed for its execution i; in conformity with the views
of that Department.
.'Ir. Dwight wished to be informed what was (he
object proposed by this resolution.
.Ur. Stewart replied that the company lnd applied
to Congress tor assistance, with a view to the cumplc
tuni and extension of their canal. The subject had i
heon referred to tiic Committee on Roads and Canals, J
Phe company, it r.oems, have expended d*J0,t)00 doJ
!nrs, and they stand in need of an additional sum of
d .0,000, (o carry their plan into effect. Gen. Bernard
had examined this canal, and gone over the whole
ground. Col. Roberdeao has also examined the 6ub
jm-t. \ rt there* was no information before the com
mit tec for its guidance. The object of the resolution
i' to obtain from the War Department such information
as It may possess on this subject. The resolution had
two objects. Ono was to ascertain the importance of
t ie canal to the United States, in a commercial and
Hi.litvy view. The other, to shew if (be plan of the
< emparry would • e in conformity with the general
plan to extend a line of canals from the northern to tho
southern states The I louse would sec that the pus*
session of these farts is indispensable:
.'•Ir. ,V* vlon said a few words in a low tone of voice:,
the sub'ance of which was understood to be that the
Decart merit of War was in posse: sion of information,
and was convinced of the import nice of the work.—■'
rim depth of wafurin the canal is now five or s x feet, J
At the suggestion of the Speaker, the resolution was
modified, by Milking out the last sentence, as follows.'
“Arid to stile how fir the plan proposed fur its execution
is in conformity with the views ol that Department.”
ct/r «V. f'ii/ said that although the Engineers had
passed over the canal, lie never understood that thev
had orders to survey it, or to make any report on the
subject. Any information, therefore, which the reso
lution could bring, would be ur.important.
. <lr. Steiccri replied that lie had conversed both with
Don. Bernard nml f ol. l»oberdeati, who informed him
that the Department of War possessed important iufon
eratiun on that subject.
.’Ir. .V. i 'on said the company had Expended great
sums, and could n :t go on. There was five or six feet
.rater in ihe cau;;!. He stated the object iu view, but
i.i so low a tone that *.ve couiJ not c itch the purport.
Hl- concluded with expressing his 1 ope that the House
would anihm izo the pit chase of stock in this company,
as it bad done last « sion in the case of Ilia C hesapeake
find Delaware stock.
i n* »• -*f iiiviori \rns tlion aerecd »o.
. /> Sl'irrs (of .Now Vm k) offered ti e following i'C
suhiltun, which lit s i no dnv on the table;
Hnsulvt /, That tl.c President of the United States he
rrqors'eil to ] iv hcfoio this Hutisu n statement of the
u.iot’r.t of money, paid out of tile public Tirnsury, 8t nrf
time previous to ti c -!tlt day of March. 1825, to James
• lour \ l.tte Pi c$iJt*ut of ;lip United Stales, as coinpcnsa»
• ion allowed to him for l.iservices in tile various offices
which lie litis filled un ler ill.* Government of the United
Siates, and till allowtinces arid emolument* attending; the
si". services; d< si^nating the particular sums paid as salary
or otherwise, tor such services, allowances and emoluments,
"id the times when such sums were paid, respectively; an<l
an account ol :ili claims c.t sa;d Janes Monroe far COiJJc* *■ *■
oe nation, ailowimces or emoluments. for services, which
nave been prcsatttrd at any of the Departments of thtj
i ' •overnment, or t i the accounting officers of the Treasury
, D t>titment, which have been disallowed; and the times
• hen any such claims, icspectively, have been presented,
•in I the '•rounds on which such claims ucre disallowed.
O', motion >t , I'-m lira ‘-infaer, it was ordered.
1 * ::t I! the House adjourn, :t athouru to msd on
Tuesday.
i I.** following resolution, offered vestordav by Mr
>{ urtt; fof l* na.) as a substitute for that by Mr,
Dwight, was : Ji n Up—
lit so! mi 1 h it tin- Secretnryof the Treasury be direct-.*
v-l lo commiinic.ite to tjiis {Joti-e the instructions, if any,
-v tiSch have h vn given hy tint Dr-pa ft nicnt to the Collect-’
tin - ol t lie Ctruom; tmile; the prpvi -ions of the several acts
«. " oli tire the collect ion of Doties on I.- .pr st-. :>;iri Toni'.agq,
- ! cspecial v tinder the piovisrntts of tho section ot"
il.ua. t ot Marc!) J, t7,i‘)—and also to inform the House
•a lieihti any, and what < aviations from tii‘-,e instructions*
ii;.l from the course prescribed hy law fot the collection of
ti •• c u-ie.u.c, have recently taken place; uud whether any,
:,c. ! v hat los--*s have Wn, or tue likely to Us sustained by
• .ic envcmnir-nt in rcuscqiicnce of -itch deviation, stating
t particularly tlie chrinnstmices attending them, -j t J
; 'hey may have com - to tue knowledge of the lic iar;mcnr.,^|
I .'Jr. i! ebsfrr tuggestci], that the gentleman from
: Pou/i-'. Iv.:>iia tv.'i» probably riot awv.ro of thg extent n
wliir li Ids ft solution travelled. As it at present was
worded. (be call included all instructions which had
boon at any time given to Collectors. Tlmt he cart
! •**';<•*'* id" he necessary. If lie would modify it, so as /
'•> limit f.ie calls to ti:c predisc infuriuation he wanted,
| he tin tight it would be better. As it now stands, it
will require the production of all instructions given
j frf"" the revolution to this day. lie suggested to th::
mover to ref-r to the instructions and select what l
I lv<"dd v-:i!-c< sarv to be embraced in the re-olulion. ' '
i! v., lz rcp’ii-d that he had tint intended lo make
j ’l'" /Jail so comprehensive. According lo public rumor,
iovsc arc of a GvofulJ character: 1st, on bonds la*
hen of per-o' who have become insolvent; aml-2ndJy,
! s-w ; by goods which have been taken out of the *
h,'f* house, without arn bunds at nil. He had under
'bvi l that the instructions were, that goods might b«i
j '^ht'ii ,u:t on 'lie security of one bond; and that --r>
I individual -ii nt-d be taken as security for more thaw
j -fU’.OOD dollars. It was said that one pm son bad bcer^
j i.ikc.-i fori tb > amount of 700 or 800,000 dollars, ffQR
l wished to know if any instruct inns authorized ibis pro
ceeding. If the gentleman front Massachusetts wUyid
. 'I".!| y the restitution, he would cheerfully accede to
; the* amendment.
T1 recoluti. ti was then ordered to lie on the table
! another day. 1
'1,1 uK’iionol . '• »\ r ''shn'tnt of IV, H it xr.is
| R”\o'r, Till: 1 :,.rmii*fce nn Military Pjnrions be
: 1 '•'!,( II,.-! wo Id not In- expedient so
: ,0 " *■>,. . Vi-tit:;. I aw. ihut nil the surviviii* officers
: nnd soldim -erv -h . e ni.mihs, or i.M.e. at'one time
hi the Wf, df the rxvohri id. sail haven u-iiit to be placcfl
■ pm*:.,n n!.'; nr i y Ualvr it would not »>« expedient
■o pi..vi ... each - f liii.'M- ;vlio scv.vd twelve months, or
no,-, ■ ■•if n| I 1,1»1 n.« a full pension, n uni not les* thau that
■ which i.mow pm-’ a* a full pension; ami that those who
• ■ 11. • a 1 imp in.- !.’~; than llu- e m oiths out not twelve shall
iian a m>. Ini in.' the same ;;; sport ion to a full pensioii .
the; the term they serve 1 hears to a year.
The Ho;; e tlicu 'adjourned till Tuesday.
.Monday, Dec. CG.
h .1 A J ij.
.Mr. J.Jtn /fin-/./,’;-.';, elected a Senator from the Stato
Of \ irg.111.1. mu; ni-.-d l1; credentials, tool; the oath of
niece, tin ! ho took 1 is scat.
t l.rt l.rurt-loiniirtic.ilrd a Heport from tho Secro
fnr; the N .vy, together with a jirinteJ volume con
•»iriinty too procr-^n^sof the Court Martial and Court
nt i ’*|'t'ry. rohi. i- to Commodore Porter, pursuant to
a re? dtition of (!;« Senate of the Klh insfant.
.Mr. Johns!':’J, of I.a. gave notice lhat on Mooda* t
if Xt. ne shot;Id ; sk leave to mt.-ndtmoa bill to authorial
\r lefiral r''PrCSi;!,‘a(ivcj of the Manpns 0f Maixm
Kongo to m'-.tiMite a suit ugsmu (he Un.tod Sta'cs, and I
for other purposes. ’ I
°n motion of .Mr. n>t~g.r», the Cummiltee of Claim* I
rvas dischargcd kom the further consideration’ of tho I
petition o‘the Revolutionary OtTicers, praying indent I
n.ficntton for tho loss sustained tv the dcpV-iatioo o \
currency, and thn ,.e»,;io„ was (ransfurred to tbc select]
j commilteo appointed on (hat subject. • j
: On motion of .Mr. DarUn, it was 1
, /.Wrrd, Thn: t ta Secretary of the Treasury be direct- J
i to lay h tore the Senate, a -Statement, ehowin, ,uA
nc lands oiiginnlly subject to *af6| thi5 jjB
been ,..rT y..,; a:,d the r.oamlty thereof, irclo^oj; wliol
\.ji.;.*he.l lands, (lint remain? Unsold, m cf* 0f Wftm