Alexandria gazette. [volume], February 28, 1834, Image 2

About Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974

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I THE GAZETTE:1
By EDGAR SNOWDEN.
Daily paper - - - - $8 per annum.
Country paper - - - o per annum.
The ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE for the coun
try is printed on Tuesday, Thursday, and
Saturday.
All advertisements appear in both papers, and
are inserted at the usual rates.
GREAT MEETING AT MASONIC HALL,
In New York.
On the 24th, long before 7 o’clock, the large
saloon at the Masonic Hall was filled with per
sons anxious to hear the report of the Mecha
nics’ Committee, who had proceeded to W ash
ington with the memorial of the mechanics and
artisans, on the subject of the distress which
now pervades the community. At 7 o’clock, it
was completely crowded, and all the avenues
leading to it. Many persons were compelled to
return home, unable to find room where even
to stand.
It would be in vain, says the Courier, to at
tempt to describe the enthusiasm and unanimi
ty which appeared to pervade the breast of eve
ry person present. To those few who still per
sist in asserting that the Executive is supported
by any considerable part ot this community, in !
his usurpations on the constitution or senseless
animosity to the United States Bank, an unan
swerable proof might here be given of their er
ror. Indignation was painted on every counte
nance as the report was read describing the re
ception the delegates had met with from the Pre
sident. When the conduct of Mr. Campbell P.
White towards them was mentioned, strong dis
approbation was evinced; and as the vote of
thanks to Mr. Dudley Selden was carried by
acclamation, he was greeted with nine hearty
cheers. Addresses were delivered by Mr. Da
niel Ulmanr Mr. Austin Baldwin, Mr. Lorenzo
Daponte, and Mr. Philip Hone. We regret
that we are unable to give their speeches, par
ticularly that of Mr. Austin Baldwin, which
was remarkable for its eloquence and perspicui
ty. The meeting was organized by choosing
Mr. John Morss, President.
Zebedee Ring,
John Sotphen, i Vice Presidents.
Wm. Mandeville,
Wm. Colgate,
Joseph Cur ns, \ gecretaries.
Wm. Harsell, >
Mr. Adoniram Chandler then read the follow
ing report:
The Delegate's appointed by the Mechanics and
Artisans of the City of New York, to proceed
I to Washington for the purpose of presenting
the Memorial signed by them to Congress,
beg leave respecttully to
& REPORT,
That they arrived there on the evening of the
6th instant. From the four members of the Mer
chant’s delegation who yet remained in Wash
ington we received every attention and courte
sy” We were also met by Mr. Dudley Selden, a
representative from this city, to whose polite
ness, candor, and kind attention, we feel much
indebted, and with whom we made arrange
ments for the presentation of your Memorial
to the House of Representatives, to be accom
panied by him with such remarks as appeared
to us necessary and appropriate. From Mr.
White and Mr. Lawrence, representatives from
this city, we received polite attention. We next
sought an interview with the President, arrange
ments for which were made with Messrs. White
and Lawrence, who proposed previously to ap
prize the President of our intention to visit him,
and the object of our mission to Washington.
We were accordingly introduced on the 7th in
stant, by the gentlemen above named. After a
lapse of ten to twenty minutes, occupied in de
sultory conversation, the time seemed to have
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alTlVfU WIltiH % I I v7 OlU'JVVi VVII UIK’OIVMI niivuiu
be named. Mr. 0. P. White, seeing one of our
committee about to address the Executive,
arose, and walking aside to us, stated that he
deemed it improper to introduce the subject
then, as the President desired to be engaged
with other gentlemen who were present; feeling
an unwillingness to persist in a manner that
could be deemed intrusive, we withdrew. On
taking our leave, the President asked us what
stay we intended to make, and our residence;
we named the latter part of the next week as
the time fixed for our departure; he replied that
we should hear from him again.
Our Memorial was presented to the House on
Monday, the 11th, by Mr. Selden, who made an
address explanatory of its nature and objects,
and also of the character and pursuits of those
who signed it. It was referred to the Commit
tee of Ways and Means, after having been read
by the clerk, and ordered to be printed with the
names and occupations of the signers. We
hid made an arrangement to have it presented
in the Seriate on Wednesday, but the sudden
d»*ath of Mr. Bouldin in the other house on
Tueday caused an adjournment of both houses,
and no business was transacted until Friday, on
which day it was presented by Mr. Wright, one
of our Senators, who introduced it with a few
appropriate remarks, when it was referred to
the Committee of Finance.
Feelingif. to be our duty to wait on the President
again, and communicate to him personally the
situation and wishes of our constituents, we
presented ourselves on the 13th, but finding him
en»*a<*ed in preparation to attend the funeral of
Mr* Bouldin, we left our card, intimating our
intention to call on him the next morning at 10
o’clock. We accordingly repaired to his resi
dence on the morning of the 14th, and were ad
mitted at once to his presence. Two gentlemen
were with him at the time, who retired in a few
moments. The President received us with
“good morning, gentlemen, pray be seated.” We
introduced each other and took seats. The
President also sat down by a table and signed
several papers; after which he took up a letter,
broke the seal and read it very deliberately: then
another letter and was engaged with a third,
when company was announced. During all
this time fie did not seem to notice our presence,
and fearing to interrupt important businesss, we
had patiently waited his leisure; but perceiving
' at length that we must introduce our subject
without further delay, or lose the opportunity,
we commenced by saying, “You are aware,
sir, that we are a delegation from mechanics
and artizans of the city of New York to make
known to the government the pecuniary difficul
ties under which the citizens are labouring at
the present time ” I
He answered, “ Well, what do you want?
What would you have me do?—What do you
come here for?—Why don’t you go to the Uni
ted States Bank?—Go to Nicholas Biddle!”—
His manner was agitated, expressing impatience
and anger. We replied that, we were not au
thorized to make application to the Bank, but to
the Government, for an amelioration of our
sufferings; to which he replied—u I have been
applied to by committees, from New York, Phil
adelphia, Baltimore, and New York again;—
one, two, five, seven, and you are the eighth. I
have dealt openly and candidly with all: —you
have seen the committee from your city, they
could tell you my determination. I told them,
and I now tell you, I never will restore the de
posites, I never will re-charter the United States
Bank, or sign a charter for any other Bank, so
long as my name is Andrew Jackson.” His
energy and his anger increased as he continued
to speak; we replied that, we did not come to
ask the re-charter of the United States Bank,
but merely to declare that our complaints did
no t originate in fiction, and to request from the
government the adoption of some system which
might tend to restore mercantile confidence.—
He asked, “ How am I to do that?” We replied
that, we were not instructed to dictate to the
government \\*hat to do; but we looked upon the
want of a good understanding between the
President and the Bank as the great cause of our
present embarrassment. At this he became ex
cessively agitated, rose from his seat, shaking
his finger in an earnest and threatening manner,
said, “ In what way have I produced it? ’ To
which we replied—“You informed Congress in
your official communications that you did
not believe the Bank was solvent, that it would
not be able, on winding up, to pay all demands
against it.” The President replied, “ I did so,
and I say it now, it will not pay all; it is a cor
rupt and abominable institution, buying up
presses and interfering with elections through
out the country. It has violated its charter re
peatedly.” We answered that, the business
portion of the citizens of New York, we believe
view it in a different light. But if the Bank has
• 1 a 1 • A. _ l_ i. — 1 L ^ 1 m m At ♦ l-\
VlUiaiCU US tuai ICIjUlC pvmi uut in'- ^
per course to be pursued. Here his excitement
assumed an extraordinary shape, his whole
frame trembling with agitation.—“ Well,” said
he, “ have I not pursued lawful measures?” We
answered that, the charter authorized the Pres
ident to issue a scire facias, but we believed
that course had not been pursued. He answer
ed in a vehement manner, “ It may be, howe
ver, before the affairs of the Bank are wound
up.”
He became too angry now to hope for any
good growing out of further conversation. One
of our committee, with a hope of appeasing his
extreme irritation, said to him in the kindest
manner, “May it please the President, we have
been particularly instructed by those whom we
represent, not only to present our Memorial to
both houses of Congress, but to state personal
ly to the Executive our grievances, and ask the
wisdom of the government to devise some meth
od for our relief.” But the President contin
ued, “ Why am I teased with committees?—
here I am receiving two or three anonymous
letters every day, theatenting me with assassina
tion if I dont restore the deposites and re-char
ter the Bank;—the abominable institution—the
monster, that has grown up out of circumstan
ces, and has attempted to control the govern
ment;— I’ve got my foot upon it, and l’il crush
it.” (The Globe lay before him on the table,
containing some of the letters referred to.) He
continued, “ Am I to violate my constitutional
oath? Is it to be expected that I am to be turn
ed from my purpose?—Is Andrew Jackson to
bow the knee to the golden calf, as did the Isra
elites of old?—I tell you if you want relief go
to Nicholas Biddle.” We replied, “Nicholas
Biddle will tell us that he is but following the
recommendations of the Executive in winding
up the affairs of the Bank, by curtailing its dis
counts.” The rage of the President now in
creased if possible, to a degree which we shall
not attempt to describe. He continued, “Did I
advise him to interfere with elections, and cor
rupt the morals of the people?—Did I advise him
to withdraw thirty-five millions from the pur
shase of inland bills of exchange in the western
country?—I tell you 1 am opposed to all Banks
and banking operations, from the South Sea
bubble to the present time. The Israelites dur
ing the absence of Moses to the mount made a
golden ca'r, ana leu aown ana worsnippea it,
and they sorely suffered for their idolatry.—The
people of this country may yet be punished for
their idolatry.—Let the United States Bank re
lieve the community by issuing their notes, and
I pledge myself that the State Banks shall not
oppress it.” Believing that we had already said
more than was well received, we now withdrew.
During this interview several persons were pre
sent.
During our stay in Washington, we deemed
it our duty to call on members from our own
state, and if possible, do away any impression
that our complaints originated either in fiction
or a spirit of hostility to the present admin
istration. We were surprised, however, to find,
generally, a ready admission or the truth of all
we stated, and astonished at the tenacity with
which some seemed determined to persist in the
measures which had produced our embarass
ments. We deem it our duty to repeat the very
words of an honorable member from this state
as an illustration of what we assert, leaving our
fellow citizens to draw their own inferences.—
“Gentlemen,” said he, “I know it, I admit the
truth of all you allege; I am concerned in mills
in New York, and letters from my agent tell me
that he cannot sell a board. But, I am a Whole
hog-man, and I would sooner commit the unpar
donable sin, and throw myself on the clemen
cy of the Almighty, than return to my constitu
ents after having voted to restore the deposites
or re-charter the United States Bank.”
Mr. C. P. W’hite, a member from this city, in a
conversation with us on the subject of the pre
sent embarrassments and complaints, made a
remark which we deem it our duty to state.—
“ Talk of complaint,” said he, “the government
don’t complain; you hear no complaint on the
part of the government, it is only the people that
are making all the complaint. You come here
and say you are distressed, the government is
not distressed; there is no power in the Consti
tution to charter a Bank, or make any contract
binding on any future Congress.”
We called on Mr. Van Buren on the 7th inst.;
and not finding him at home, left our address;
on the 14th, after we had taken our seats in the
stage to leave Washington, we received a card
from Mr. Van Buren.
We have thus given you a detailed statement
of the events of our mission, without any desire
to exaggerate, in the slightest possible manner,
and equally free from an intention to withhold
any fact which can be interesting. We are in
duty bound to acknowledge our obligation to
many members of both houses of Congress, from
whom we received the most polite attention; and
also to private individuals for kindness and
1‘ourtesy, during the time that we remained at
the seat of government.
It may be proper to state, in order to avoid j
any misunderstanding, that in the interviews
and conversations above stated, the number of
your delegates present at each were as follows:
at the first interview with the President, we were
all present; at the conversation with a member
from this State, two of us were present; at the
conversation with Mr. C. P. White, we were all
present; at the second interview with the Piesi
dent, three of us were present.
* * ELIHU WHITE,
ADONIRAM CHANDLER,
BENJAMIN DEMILT,
JOHN L. MOFFAT.
The following resolutions were then offered
by Mr. Uliman, at the close of his address:
Resolved, That the report of the delegation to
Washington be accepted.
Resolved, That the thanks of this meeting be
given to the delegation for the zeal, ability, and
independence with which they have discharged
the duties which were devolved upon them—a
zeal worthy of them as patriots—an ability ho
norable to them as men—an independence cha •
I racteristic of them as members of the class of ci
tizens whom they represented—showing that,
like the Mechanics of 76, they understand their
rights, and can boldly advocate them in the pre
sence of arbitrary power.
The Delegates then offered the following:
Resolved, That, in the opinion of this meeting,
! the present unexampled distress of the comrnu
; nity is owing to the unconstitutional interference
j of the President of the United States with the
currency of the country.
Resolved, That we look upon the manner in
i which the Executive has usurped a control over
the public monies as indicative of an arbitrary
temper, and of his determination to administer
the Government in utter disregard of the Con
stitution and the Laws.
Resolved, That the frequent use of the Veto
power, to control the policy of Congress; the ef
fortsofthe President to bring the Judiciary into
contempt; his avowed determination to construe
the Constitution for himself; and his too success
ful attempt to substitute Executive will in the
place of law, too plainly indicate the change
v\ men is lilurtliig ill uic timi atici ui me vtuvci 11
ment, and admonish the people to shew to the
world, in their primary assemblies, that “ the re
public has not yet found a master.”
Resolved, That the subserviency to his will of
a majority ofour Representatives in Congress,
and in their total neglect of their constituents,
we recognize rather the sycophancy of courtiers
than the deliberative action of an independent
branch of the Government.
Resolved, That the derangement of the cur
rency, the interruption of business, and the ge
neral distress of the laboring classes, caused by
the shock to public credit, have brought home
to us a conviction of the necessity of a chonge
in our political rulers; and we pledge ourselves
to use our best exertions to dismiss from the pub
lic service those who have proved themselves
unworthy of our confidence, in bringing such
calamities on the country.
Resolved, That thirty persons be appointed to
act as a Committee of PUBLIC SAFETY, to
confer with the Committee appointed by the
Merchant , & with nth r organized bodies,for the
purpose of alleviating the public distress; to cor
respond with those who, in other Districts, may
think a change in the Public Councils necessa
ry, and who shall have power to take such mea
sures as may be calculated to insure an admin
istration of the Government upon the pure prin
ciples of the Constitution.
Resolved, That the thanks of this meeting be
presented to the Hon. Dudley Selden, member
of the House of Representatives, from this city,
for the manly and independent course pursued
by him in the discharge of his duty; and that
this expression of our sentiments be communi
cated to him, together with the proceedings of
this meeting, by the Chairman and Secretaries.
By Mr. Baldwin—
Resolved', That in the undignified and ungen
tlemanly conduct of Andrew Jackson towards
the Delegation of the mechanics and artisans of
this city, we conceive the high station which he
occupies as President of the United States, to
have been degraded, and the signers of the me
morial, whose representatives the members of
this delegation were, to have been treated with
underserved contempt; and further, that the pal
pable neglect of Martin Van Buren of the com
mon courtesies of society towards our delega
tion, cle irly proves him to be void of respect to
the mechanical classes of the community.
Flv Mr. Hamilton—
J
Resolved, That this mooting disapprove of the
course pursued by the Legislature of this State,
in approving and justifying the gratuitous and
ill judged act of the Executive of the United
States in removing the Public Deposites from
the legitimate sanctuary in which they had been
placed by the authority of Congress.
Resolved, That this meeting declare the con
duct of the members of the State Legislature
from this city, as exhibiting an unfortunate mis
representation of the true and permanent inter
ests of their cons ituents.
JOHN MOIISS, Chairman.
JOSEFH COHTIS, ) Secretaries.
vv m. Harsell, S
Loss of the Line Brie Encomium.— The line
brig Encomium, Captain Sheffield, sailed from
this port on the 1st inst. for New-Orleans, and
we regret to state, was totally lost on the third
day out. This information was received via
Savannah, and we have been politely favored
with the following extract of a letter, from one
of the passengers:
Nassau, 12th Feb.
“The brig Encomium was wrecked on the
third night after wre left Charleston. The Pas
sengers and Slaves, sixty-nine in number, are
all saved, after the most extreme peril, with the
loss of all their clothes and baggage, and reach
ed the Bahama Islands, whence they proceeded
to Nassau. The Vessel and Cargo a total loss.5’
We learn, also, that the Passengers suffered
much for want of food, and from the inclemen
cy ofthe weather, before they w?ere relieved by
the wreckers.— Charleston Conr.
IN COUNCIL, FEBRUARY 10, 1834.
THE following persons were appointed Com
missioners for holding Elections in the se
veral Wards on Tuesday, the 4th day of March
next, for members to serve in the Common
Council for the ensuing year, viz:
James P. Coleman, Lincoln Chamberlain,
Stephen Shinn, at the house of Anthony Rhodes,
on Union street, for the First Ward.
Silas Read, Hugh Carolin, Guy Atkinson, at
the old Reading Room, for the Second Ward.
Andrew Scholfield, James Douglas, Joseph
Smith, at the old Indian Queen Tavern, on King
street, for the Third Ward.
William Fowle, Benjamin S. Kinsey, William
D. Nutt, at Miss Mills’s, corner of Prince and
Alfred streets, for the Fourth Ward.
feb 19—t4thMar __ j
JOB PRINTING neatly executed at this office j
To the People of the United States.
LETTER IV.
Fellow Citizens:
In my last letter I related some of the inci
dents which occurred immediately after my en
trance into office. Those incidents will have
shown you, that the true nature of the service
required of me, was to employ a conseivative
power to effect penal ends, and to evade legisla
tive or judicial action in relation to the United
States Bank. ,,
Believing as I did, that the President really
thought that the prostration of the United States
Bank would be another victory, of which he
might be proud, and that he was stimulated to
consider any means justifiable to attain that end;
I resolved to interpose, if I could, between him
and those who were impelling him in his rash
1 career. I was especially anxious to disabuse
! him as to the legislature and the judiciary; and,
j therefore, in writing the following letter, endea
vored to meet his oral declarations, as well as
! written arguments.
In my defence I now submit this letter to you.
Is it such a letter as “ an emissary of the bank”
would have written? Does it indicate hostility
to the President; or a desire to remain in office
to thwart him? Could any friend struggle more
anxiously than I did to snatch him from the
brink of a precipice? Instead of considering
my resistance favorable to the bank, I felt satis
fied that the President’s course would aid it.
Under these impressions, as an act of duty to
the country as well as to the President, and, I
confess, dissatisfied with the part I was expected
to play, I wrote the following letter.
Respectfully, yours,
W. J. DUANE.
February 25, 1834.
[Mr. Duane here publishes a long aud most
respectful letter, which he addressed to the Pre
sident, giving all those arguments which have
: since been urged against the Removal of the
I Deposites. The letter examines the whole
I ground temperately and dispassionately. The
subject having been so frequently examined in
tin* snpprhps hi/ mpmhprs nfflnntriTSS. it
| is not deemed necessary to re-publish Mr. Du*
• ' ane’s view of the case, though we consider his
letter a very able and conclusive one. He urg
ed with earnestness, frankness, and respect, the
impolicy and impropriety of the measure. The
letter thus concludes:]
The undersigned might proceed, in a more
extended discussion of the subject, under consi
deration, if such were necessary. He has tried
to shun the paths, already beaten by those, whose
opinions the President has availed himself of.—
lie has indeed consulted his own heart and head
as his arbiters. lie has appealed to the aid of
common sense, as well as of official intelligence
and will here close his remarks. Nothing but a
profound conviction of being in the right, could
have induced the undersigned to take his first
step in opposition to what is so obviously the
President’s sincere desire. The undersigned
has too great a respect for the judgment of the
President, and too little confidence in his own,
dogmatically to say, that the President is mista
ken, and that the undersigned cannot be so.—
Happily, if the proposed measure really is es
sential to any great or good end, it is not in the
power of any man, much less the undersigned,
to set himself up successfully againsta chief ma
gistrate, to whom the country owes so much.—
Far from seeking such a celebrity, the under
signed is prepared to make any personal sacri
fice, except an acquiescence in a measure, that
he positively believes to be at variance with his
obligations tu the country, the President, and
himself.
In any event, no change can be made in those
sentiments of sincere respect and attachment,
which will ever be entertained for the President,
by his obedient servant.
W. J. DTMNE.
Literature Lottery of the State of Delaware,
Class No. 9 for 1834,
To be drawn at Wilmington. Thursday, Feb 27
CAPITAL PRIZE $10,000.
Tickets $3 00; halves 1 50; quarters 0 75
Virginia State Lottery,
For the benefit of the Petersburg Benevolent As'n,
Class No. 4 for 1834.
To be drawn at Catts’ Tavern, West End, on
Saturday, March 1
SPLENDID CAPITALS!
1 prize of $30,000 1 prize of $5.0^0
1 do of 6,000 1 do of 4,000
20 capital prizes of $1,000! &o. &c.
Tickets $4 50; halves 2 25; quarters 112 1-2
To be had in a variety of numbers at
J. W. VIOLETTN
Lucky Lottery OmcE,
Upper end King Sreet, near the Diagonal Pump.
11J3 Orders from the country, enclosing the
cash or prize tickets, promptly attended to.
Virginia State Lottery,
For the benefit, of the Petersburg Benevolent As'n,
Class No. 4 for 1834,
To be drawn at Alexandria, Va. on Saturday,
March 1
scheme:
1 prize of $20,000 1 prize of $5,000
1 do of 6,000 1 prize of 4,000
20 Capital Prizes of $1,000! &c. &c.
Tickets $4 50; halves 2 25; quarters 1 12 1-2
On sale in great variety by
JAS. RIORDAX.
Uncurrent Notes and Foreign Gold pur
chased.
Literature Lottery of the State of Delaware,
Class No. 9 for 1834,
To be drawn at Wilmington, Thursday, Feb 27
HIGHEST PRIZE $10,000.
Tickets $3 00; halves 150; quarters 0 75.
Virginia State Lottery,
For the benefit of the Petersburg Benevolent Me- 1
chanic Association,
Class No. 4 for 1834,
Will bp drawn atCatts’ Tavern, West End, on
Saturday, March 1 5 {
SPLENDID SCHEME:
1 prize of $20,000 1 prize of $5,000
1 do of 6,000 1 prizes of 4,000 (
20 prizes of $1,000! &c. &c. <
Tickets $4 50; halves 2 25; quarters 112 1-2. £
To be had in a variety of numbers of
J* CORSE, c
Lottery § Exchange Broker, Alexandria. t
HORSES FOR SALE. i
A NUMBER of likely YOUNG HORSES
suitable for the Saddle or Harness, are now i,
at Catts’ Tavern, West End, and will be sold c
on moderate terms. Persons wishing to pur- tl
chase Horses will do well to give me a call, as n
I am determined to sell good bargaius. «
feb 26—3t* L. D. POSTON. a
4
AI.tixAMHtl
FRIDAY MORNING, FEB. 28, 1831
SEVERE REBUKE.
We do not remember when we have seen so
severe, and yet so dignified, a rebuke, as U p.
ven to the President in Mr. Clayton’s repcr
from the Judiciary Committee of the Senate o
the subject of the refusal of the Bank of the
United States to deliver up the Pension Fend
We have given the President’s message to Cor
gress communicating the fact of the refusal and
containing his denunciation of the Bank for t|.a
course; and it is but fair, therefore, that
opinion of the Committee, as regards this ,na
ter, should have a place in our columns. \.r?
subjoin it. It will be found, as we have ahead
stated, that the rebuke it contains is mosi •
vere, yet dignified:
“ It appears that, in the matter which has bee
referred to the committee, the bank has
only on the defensive, and has done no morn
than is required of every trustee, it has assnr
ed no attitude which ought to be considered ..
offensive to any department of the Governrner'
but it has been faithful to its trust. In this conn
try every man must exercise his own judgme* -
in matters touching his rights and duties.^
is incident to his right of self-defence. Harf t:.
President demanded of the bank their banku
house in Washington as a suitable place for::
Treasury Department, after the late coiiil;,^
tion of the Treasury buildings, might noftb
; bank have decided against the application wit!
out being censured for “sittiiiLf in judgment u
on the legality of the acts of the constituted a*;
thorities?” May not the opinion of the cornn
ration upon the construction of any law di/t, ,
from that of the executive officers of the ( , *
| ed States? The citizens who subscribed :
! stock in this*bank have not thereby lo>t t:.e
rigni 10 su m juugim-m, in mis sens,., on a.-;
and conduct of any man or set of men in t.
nation, who in their honest judgment may i.,.
vade their privileges, or seek to deprive the’.,
an opportunity of discharging their duties.
“The case of a corporation is like that of i v<
ry individual in this respect. The Piesideiit ha
no right to take private property for public i>
from any man without his consent, or the con
sent of his representatives, and compensation •
him. Now, if the President demands the lam.
of a citizen for a light-house, or any pul .ic work
may not the owner consider and decide for him
self the question of title, without being ‘
ed for a “usurpation of the judicial powei -
Must he who says to an executive officer. 1
contend for my property, and have decided that
before I surrender to you what 1 believe to b.
mine, I will defend myself in the courts of law.'
be denounced as usurping judicial power? T: >
bank has done no more to occasion such a dr
nunciation. It has respectfully considered, am
fully replied to the executive mandate. Its an
swer is, that it considers itself bound by the lav
of Congress not to surrender the pension agen
cy without the consent of Congress. Ii profil
es its perfect willingness to yield the trust .1
Congress will release it. Without that release
it must, in self-defence, abide a suit in the court?
if the Executive chooses to go to law.
“Ithas not relied alone on its own judgment.
In doubt ofits own opinion, it has left the que^
tion to eminent counsel, and. in perfect frank
ness, it has communicated to the executive offi
cer their views and arguments. This is w hat the
President terms “usurpation of judicial power,
and prescribing to the Executive Department
the manner in which it shall execute the trust
confided to it by law. This is called “checking
and controlling the acts of the public servant
by an irresponsible money corporation;” and
we are gravely told that, if this be tolerated
“the whole frame of our government is chang
ed, and we have established a power in the bank
above what we derive from the people.” It an
pears to the committee that the Executiv
in this case assumes to itself the judicial powp
for the very reason that it denies to the bn; k r.
right to inquire into its duties. It sets lip a < j;:
which it will not suffer the bank to deny or don
It demands an immediate surrender of its ow:
judgment, and necessarily refuses to the ag<
of theGovernmentthe right to invoke the deck
nf tlin rmirtil itc SUi/'h ni t'U.
sions are new in the history of executive pov
er in this nation. They are unsuited f"i thes
nius of the Government under which we ;
and whenever they shall so prevail, that
American citizen shall not dare to dispute v
an executive officer upon any question ten: :
his right to either property, character, or i belt■
then indeed, in the language of the Presi •
“the whole frame of our Government
changed,” and no matter what may be it' t‘aI1:
it will be a hateful despotism.
“ The President complains that the pend°;
will suffer by the conduct of the Bank. I'1'1
part of the correspondence submitted to 1:' ,
would appear that the new pension
have, in some instances at least, been Pa:;;’
their claims. But if they are indeed sullei'1'
if delays and embarrassments have been '■■■y t
red by the gallant defenders of their count!)
the receipt of the debt which the gratign-'
the nation has awarded to them, and v Inc*1-^
many instances, is necessary for their
tence and comfort in their declining ‘
plain that all those delays and embarra^i11'‘
have been occasioned solely by an illega. ^ •
emanating from the Executive, and conun ^
ing the bank “ to cease paying the penst'10'
The best mode of exhibiting Executive -)111..
thy for the soldiers of the revolution i"
publicly deploring their unhappy lute at" ‘ ^
distressed condition, but rescinding h‘e 1‘
which prohibits bank from paying them ,
dues. Until this be done, committee is v
|ed to acquit the bank when thus arrauig' -
rore them on a charge of cruelty to tue •’
:ionary soldiers.”
“ THE GOVERNMENT.'
All the world knows that in the deg^1^
)f modern times, and under the present _
y, “the Government” of the country hcj.
lered synonymous with the President u*
:ountry—that in him is centered nil P°'ul
authority. i
In the Attorney General’s opinion on t1 .
»f the refusal of the Bank of the United ^
d deliver up the Pension Fund, placed, b) *
n its possession, this sentence appears:
“ They (the books and papers) are fi<> s !
7 the property of the Government. . Jpj v>
ontends that “ the Government” is ei • .,n
lem during the interval between tne j ^
ual payments. “ The same remain, ^ |r
may also be applied to the *noI*^hoUnd f R
gency, which the Government is n i
' 1