SPEECH OF AIR WEBSTtK,
(of M .ssacrmseits.)
On ths Specie Circular.
The Senate hiving again proceeded to
order"' 'n ,",h "? Ih' '""
the nrm . tjI ,.i
'"' .... . ... i. p vivn r n
.,if.ire movci-iv v, .....
erf' . , ... o.... ..j f ..
Jtesoll't't Olf me oerno o ui , j
iti Tnal the Treasury or
r . , . .Iuh (if I, lit;. Anno
omini one thousand eight hundred and
a 1 .lit I life fll lijla 1a 1 1 It' ll C III I alii
hirty-flix.a'S' ' , '
. ....Pivable in P'ivui. nl fiw public hinds,
be. snd ihe same u hereby, rescinded.
Itsolcei, aho. Tint it shall not he law
ful for the Secret ry ot me treasury to
delegate to any person, or lo any corpora
tion, the powr of directing what funds shall
be receivable fur rust cms.! for ihe public
hods; nor shall be wake any fliscritnina-
Un in the funds ao receivable, between dil-
Verent indiv iduals, or between Ihe diileieiil
ranches ol ine public nevenue.
Mr. WEBSTER addressed the Senate as
follows: . ,,,,.,.'...,,.,. -r-
lijPatwtifT:' The power of disposing
f this important subject is in the hands of
entlomeu, both here and elsewhere, who
e not likely to be influenced by any opm-
. . . L r
i,ns ol mine, i nave no on uit-reiore.
or ddiessing (he Senate, but to discbar .m
V public duty.Si to fulfil Ihe expectations of
lhasewbolooii to rueior opposition, whether
. . . . i- - .
killing or unavailing, to bt-Trf-1 believe
lobe illegal or injurious to the public inter-
jests. Iri both these respects,! he Treasury or
Iderof the lltti ot July appearsto meohier-
lionablo I thmk it not wirrinted by Uw,
and l mu.K n aiso picvicaii pr.jn 'i .
hal. I llnnk-it has eonlrihuleii nU h liil'e i
Ho the pecuniary dtiTi. uliK-3 un b-r wlu.-h '
he whole ro iutry lias been, an I stiff is l i-
jLonng; and thai its direct effect on n. par
ticular pirl of Tlie country is still more de-
tidedly and severely uul ivor able.
The I rcssury M.Ir, or Treasury circa-
har of the lltti of July last, is addressed
fby ihe S"cretsry to the receivers of public
jiBOftey, ami to the depo.ite hanks. Ii in
s'fiiits thet-e receivers and the hanks, a
Ur'.ht 1 5 A day of .Jirus' thm next, to
wire ii pai,mfit of Ihe public lands
Ulhinfr txct p irtia' is lirede tfi ertslin'
Jiti- r; fr 1 1 ana silver, an i, in int prop
if cat$ f irsritun l in t script; provi 'ei,
hat Ul the L5Ui of Dftmh- H neil,
ioaMe in lu g nce her t jfe t tended as
) the kin I J , nonet receive I, mm be con
UK, for a 11 qu iiitilij of land not ex-
filing 32 ii ucret to each purchaser who
)M actual stt'lrr or b na file reMtnt
liAe S'ale where tlu nalts are made.
Toe exception in lavor ol Virginia scrip
founded on a partiml .r act of Consress.
nd makes no part of the general question.
is not necessary, therefore, to refer far-
tier lo that exception. The substance of
e general instruci.n is, th l not'iins' but
4d and silver shall be received in vaymcnt
"or public lands provided, however, that
tual settlers and oo la hie residents in the
utes where the sales are made may pur-
base in quantities not exceeding 32'J acres
arn. and bo allowed to pay as heretofore.
Bat this provision was limited to the 15th
My of December, which ha now pa.-sed;
p trial, by nrtue of this order, gold St silver
vi sow required of all purchasers and for
ill quantities.
lira very glad that a resolution to re
fund this order has been thus early iutro-
fucer'jsnd I am glad, too, since the resolu-
POtl is lo be opMMed, that opposition conn s
'", In a bold, unequivocal, and decided
The order, it suems. is lo be defen-
' d is being both legal and useful. Let lU
f ( nee then be mide.
Ihe honorable member from Missouri
Mr BViiton) objects even to giving the res-
mum to rescind a second reading Ilea
- litm-icll id his light, though it be not
' 'f 'nig to g. ii. ral prai-lice, to arrest the
gfiss 'f tbi measure at lis first staue.
P'iui, at b ast, is open, I old, and manly war
fare.
The I ionorble member, in his elaborate
(peh. founds hie imposition to tins resolu
P"n ..nd his support ol Hie Treasury onlt r.
f'i bo- iieneral principles repcctnii! cur-
,,rf. luch he is known to eut'Tt un. and
f '''i d he Iihh maiiilaineil fur fuanv vears.
piS Ohini.ins i..iiim rif iii tt'trutA m nll.iifi.il.
nltia aint impiaclicable; looking loa slate
'tiinys not desirable in itself, even if it
ri ticahle; and. if it were d sirablp,
ss being far beyond the power oilbis Gjv
fnn.ei.i touring about
1 be henorable member ha manifested
"uch perseverance, and ihundant labor,
opin
5 e IS understood, also, to have had
ounien. re frtun high places; and what
Im,Ps of success Ihe present moment
out to him, I am not able to judge,
" Shall probably soon see; It is pre
.7 on these i general and hng known -o-""n
that he rests bis support of the
TOU7 oriler A question, therefore, is
"nee raised between the gentleman's pnn1
Pf and opinions, on ihe sulnect ol ihe
rsi.. .
Fjrrr-ticy, and the principles and ojnnions
,l nare generally prevailedin the conn
1 "d Which, are. and haire henn. enlrrelv
apostle t, . ThllI
(iuestion la now n
'" to be put to the rote of the Senate
the
Progress, and by the termination of
r'" uianissinn. sua .1 . II .1...
. t " ".. i. iiii wiiei.ifTr ,115
""eoian's aetiilmenia ... nn, t
Til'U Bo far nt m
r"d. Thai - .11 i :
"y v i j win rejoice, am sure,
"te some derlarntion t.f ,uD :n,. ,.r
fr. - - rl,.,..,9 .
uptk .rt ?' B,1,,j"r about which so
h48 suid ,n(J wll,ch ia fo WJU
cicuUted, by ita perpetual agitation, ti
oisquin ana disturb lliu confidence of soci
We are now fast
BDnrnnrliinii th A
Zr T',H -d.,lver,,o denonnn,,eCWuc,:I,!k n'Z
u ! k , i T. " "m,n M rm" '"'' m,,ney'' """ "'"J rftfd then b..t
reree.,h power and ptronae. ,s to should fl,,w onl, w.th Kld d silver. If
l of II e same objects and the same acheu.es, I to be resided a..l Mi.,.at,z,-d a8 lliere ,
. siH-eial , ,,, regard to the currency. Tne per ,ey.' the sooneJ the c , r Tn. 1
order of the Secretary is prosective, and,
on the face of it. perpetual. Nothing in or
about it (fives the loast appeal uuce of a
temporary measure. On the contrary, its
terms imply no limitation m point of dura
tion, and the gradual manner in which it is
to come into operation shows plainly an in-
lenlion ol inakiug it the settled and permi
neut policy of Government. Indeed, it is
but now Iwginning its co-iipl, te existence.
It is only five or sis days since i's full oper.
at ion has commenced. Is it lo stand, as
the law of the land and the rule of ihe
reasury, under the Administration a, lock
is to ensue? And are those n,...ons of
wauaewroerm Tr " ,
f , "T pC"e "y. ") o.s.l.Q
10 an ohjiks. on which it is defended, to be
esMMised and maintained by the new ad-
ministration, as they have beeh by its pre-
decessoi? These are questions, hot of mere
fur..,ty, but of the highest iuteresl to the
whole cotimr
rZJlLn ,lanA .1 c . .
in loin.uerinc inis oruer, the rust thing
'?l!,.'.L,..!?Jwk.J....IIe caus whicU
led to it, or are assigned for its promnlgi -
tion. And these, on thu face of the onler
itself, are declared to be 'complaints which
nave ucen mane ol frnM. speculations.and
...... ......I,... ....i.. i r .l .i
monopolies in the purcluse of the public
I .nds. and the aid whi- li is s n.l to bu ifiv. n
to elf-ct these ohi-rts hv l..nu
credits, and dangerous, if not partMl, f icili-
ties llirough bank drnfn an l h trik depontrs,
and the general evil n.ll ience likely to -
suit to the public .nt. rest. and especially the !
safety of the fcreat amount of ovuiey in the :
Treasury, and (lie souii'i condition of tne
corn ncy of the country, frout the s furtfier ,
exehane of the inn mil domain in tins
manner, and clued foi bank credits and
paper money. . 4
Tms is thecalilouuue o( evilsto tie cued
by this order. In what these frauds consist,
wbat me the monopolies c.ioil lined of, or
wli it is precisely intended by these inj nious
speculations, we are not informed. All is
I. ft on the genfral surmise ol fiaud, spei-u-lation
and ukkio)oIv. It is not avowed, or
intimated, that the Giivernin"uf has sustain
ed any loss, either by th" receipt of bank
notes, whu h proved not to be equivalent to
specie, or in any other way. And it is not
a little remarkable, that these evils of fr vnl,
speculation, and monopoly should have be
come so enormous, and so notorious, on the
1 1th of July, as to r q'tire ibis Kxeeotive
interference for their tmppu-gsio'u. and yet
that they should not have reached such a
height as to make it proper to lay the sub
jeet belore Congress, although ('onrcss.
remained in session until within seven days
of the date ol the order. And what makes
this circumstance still morn remarkable, is
the fact tint in his annual messai.'e at the
commencement of thu same session, the
President had spoken of the tapid sales of
the public lands as one of the most grati
fying proofs, of the general prosperity of
the country, without suggesting that any
danger whatever was to be n:prehende!
fiom fraud, speculation, or monopoly. Hit
words were: 'Among the evidences of tin:
increasing prosperity of the country, not
(he least gratifying is that afforded by the
receipts from the sales of the public lands,
which amount, in the present veir. to the
unexpected sum of 1 1.OOvi.OOO.' From
the lime of the delivery of lhat messagci
.liiiun t.. ll.A .lul. Mf lliu rfr...ailru .r.l.f
there had not been the least change, go .fail
as I know; or so far as we are informed, u
the m-anner of receiving piynent for tin
public lands Everv thing stood on the 1 111
Jul. SJ1, as it had stood at the openiuo
ol the sossion, in December, 1 8 S 5 . How
so different a view of things happened to
he taken nt the two pcrio.ls, we imv be -hie
tii learn, p. rhaps, in the further progress
of tins debate.
The order speiks of the 'evil influence,'
likely to result fir. en the further exch ini'e
of the public lands into 'paper money.'
Now, this is the very language of the gen-
tlemin from Missouri He habitually speaks
of the notes of all banks, however solvent,
and however promptly their notes may be
redeemed in gold an I silver, as 'p iper mo
ney.' The Secretary has adopted the hon
orable member's phrasps, and he-, speaks,
too, of all the hank notes received at the
Und.ojftf.
redeemable in specie, n demand, but as so
much rpaper money.
In llns respect, lso,'sir. f hope we may
know Hnye as we grow older, and be abb
to learn whether, in times to come, as in
limes icccnlly passed, the justly obnoxious
and odious t hai acter of 'paper money' is to
be applied 'o all the issues of all the banks
in all Wit; States, with whatever punctuality
out funds ass.gn.ed for its payment , resting
only on the good la.th ami ine iniure .mn.y
ol those who issue it. Such was the batten
Siicn was uir. p....c.i
,n... of o..rrevol,-,onrvtl n.-s; and such,
peihaps may have been the truu1 character ,
- - " -
oi uih jiapiT .H iMw.iiriiu.i..r-".-
.. r I a ...,rA I
But ine notes oi iihiiks oi eoinp--.- -r-
. . i ... i ...nr. w,n ;
luls, limited in amouni
to such capitals, made
tn gold and silver, and
tpj a due proportion
payable op demand j
"". -""V " r
SAIXSniTUV, c. HTURIY JiyUARY 21. inr.
Kit I'm itii i ii ii 1 ' '
G-um, are p,per money to no sense bntf
one; that is to say, they are made of paper,
' La i. j
circmaie aa money. And it may
It the better.
The miMiber frotn Mmumi, chimes
those who wisb to rescind the Tr-i - iry or
d r with two ol.j. cis lirsl to degrade and
disgrace the rVsideni, and. next" io over
throw tllci I'OHSf I I II I If 111 'i I or .. .... ..C ii...
' country. 1
For my own part. sir. I denounce n..l.n,U-
i seeK toucifra.le or disgrace intodv Hold-
.. . . ,r . ... . . .,
tuj ti'e ordi r illejj tl and unwis., I kIiiiII cer-
laiiilv v.ilo to rescind it; au. in Hi-ln-
ch iri-c ul Ihis dot,. I iioo.1 1 ....i
t. d to shnnk ba
...... ...
ih.n.. -,i.;..i .. ... ... .
i j I . I ..I. ..I , i .
. 7 t .k j V " " M,"f' VVMUSM 4m. hsU pay hw saes
f T Vii?YWttMA 4 , t;..cn..n. nt.and ma, make one ,ul.
, And nope tint so nuch of ind. , .f,. , ' f..r one ...a., and ano-her ,ul J..r -noiber. We
as may bo manifested by fiee i.sc.mtoii Si uouhi as w.ll id.nitllnt ihe Sm-renry had au
; an honest vote is not to cause deuun i.tion """y ,u " ' if 'i ihedein of one. while
- from any q nrler If it s'euld let ii come 1 t'"'"''""'l !""' ni on ihe other
j As to an attempt to overcrow the co ist,' ! ' d''',,,- "" ' lh- M'ns f """
IH.o.mI currency r thu countiv if I sri-n. ff"" ""' "' h" l""""" 0"", ST u"
1 r '"is pMpMU m. lh it Oiirress, havutif dy the
!' center into such, design. should . CHHt.,lt.H,.u,h,Hi.y u, d.sn-H. ot , he phl,c ter
be b' Liinnm.i rather ai luin d:n
: war arust lliu t Ifoils of my In.le polin
' csl lile. From mv very first cone, ru with
' nuhlie aiTnr I i. .un i.u.i,..j h. i; .
! currency as a matter of Hie Ingbi-M
piliilie
n'eiest.
, nod hope J havn given s'lircieut
il. .liN l H
.i!s ol a
i ..
, d.spoMiM,, at ill Urn to m .mlio. sound
and secure, against all alta' ks ami all dan- In; ii has left noirroiind. not au inch, for Execu
gers When I first entered the other House! live i i. i.-rx..-ot ion
of (Congress ihe curiency w is exceedingly1 T!o only .n.stj.in, therefore, is, what is I lie
deranged.... M'sl of the b-mk.liad stopped i !' '" UM ww-UsJaw, wii.in -4ite Sjormary
piyment, and th cin ulannj medium had
then become, indeed, p ijer money,. So
s ou as a st it- of pet1(-e enibled us, I look
put hi an elf ut. witli others, to restore the
same ciiircncy lo n better slate; und success
fniio.ved I bat- -ll"..ii.- -
Uirwha' is nieiini by ftip' eon-ilitiiifoiial
c:irr. iiey," aKmt winch so uineh is . h I ? Wli ii
-. c is. or I inns of currency , dor lh. ("oaslitu-J
Hon allow, ami what do's It lorliid ? Il is plim
, cnoi.gli Ilial this depfii.ls on whit
. i . . . . .
we uu.ler
loo.', i.
siaao oy ciirrntcij. uurreiiey, in a
Iierli iii3 in a i i-i! seusi. itii-i.nl. s n.i only ool.l
ai.tl silv w an t tiT'tk notes, lint hills i cxehauge
also. l ui4y iiielude all lhal a Ijas's r-xeli'oig .
and settle lial.t.nv, in the o)'T..iiiiiis ot Ira.l"
ao I ii nmes-. ( ii if wh nii.lersi.il .1 oy r.ir'eney I
ihe ri in 'itc ul lh" country, thai whieh cm- '
su.oies a 1 1 viii icn lef or .Hits, tuni is the
KWaicmeasuof r .loH. lheii. oit loti.t.dly.ii.i ;
tluii.r is ineliiileil b ii gold an.! .si Ner Mo-.l un
, I...... . ii.. ,i
il e-.l ll.llllV to re is tl i lo ' i! teiMur, un.l ihsre i
ca.. u- I......I .. ,J..,. U lUUVasiuiry. sinN the i
aiiih orny of this CJ .v. r itnetii or any uiher. Imi i
sf.il I ui.d Ailver, entier eoiiiauoot tmr iirtiioniiii.. i
r loreign cnii.s, al tales regulat! ty CwiMir.its. '
tins Is a Ciiti-.lltotio'iitpri,iei.V. i.-,ii.eiy iiaio ;
and of the very ln-hest . nnortatn e. Ti. .s.ate-. .
a. expressly p.oltcH.ed fr.sn mtU-t, any di no .
mi j-oiu a in nivtft a K'u.ier in iv ikmi i .i.m.:
an l, alilioooii iei such express prohilmion is ap
filled lo (Jongiess, ye(. as Congress has no pow
er grunted (o It, III llns re-H'el, iul In (an mo
ney, and to regulate lite vilu of ,,ri-i 40 nuns, 11
cltarly has no jtownr to siih-Miute r, or hiiv
thing else, for coin, as a tender 111 payment, of
dt-his, and in discharge of cniiiiiri 0 0110 res,
has exercised this power, lolly, in holh its In J 11
dies. I'. lias coined uion.y. and shl! coins il ; it
has regulated the value o I' a. ion i-.,im-, mii.I ;hi
reuj lies iheir vabe'. I'lie iej d tr.i.l. ', liit-re
..re. Hie colislitlltio 1 l! sla nl 11 I it v.i!: , i.-. l"i
laolisheil, and eanii il iv uvr-rtli'.evti over
liir.t.V II, Would Sluku iW- . 'n.l- sy,n i.
Uu; ll lie: (J.ae,linl)..u knaAS only oold an
silver as a legal tender. !oe-11 fill..- tdnt it,
Cousiilution cannot lolerale ihe v.ilauijry cirett
t u i Ion ul 'vt'iU in,' ..it v.'fiii:!.' ..; , , i
ver al Ihe nill'ul 1110 Ii ..I.I r. a. nifi ..! th.' .te
tllrll iiii.iimV lif itlp. iitrt ls .in... rvi.l .tilL-J
lo lie. cnlitlej to de iian.l gol il h lverfor eve
ry delit, but is he, or shou he he, oliliijetl tn rfe
maud it ea all -s-tses ? ' Is if, or shnnM liovern-
- 1
ii.-iii in ike it, unlawful to reeeive pay in any i
1 Ii 1 iij .is. .' Such a -notion is loo ali-nird in be
si ri ni!y in al sl. i'lie cips:i uil.in::! it; i.t i
die 1 1 1 1 1 la 1.0 pre-R. v.i.l, ami ll oiih: In Ii.' pre
served sacrcill v . 11 1 er aM eircumsl inees The
11 si re ii.iins for j-el ci.i i learU ion by those who
have cnuipi t,. itl aii'iM.nly .
1 have already sti'l.that f'.ingre Im-j never
suppised llsell aulli.aie.l lo liiukeui.y ll.taa Im I
coin a lemler, 111 ihe pay men 1 of .leli s, tsl.veei,
individuals; hm It by no m.-.uis loilo.ts I:. mi 11 i
tha it ihay n ' authorize 1 he r ceipt of any thing
an coin in piyment of .leb.n title luilie L 11: il
51.1'. s.
I'iieso powers are distinct, and fl.iW from dif
ferent sources. Tiie power of coin ige is a gen
eral power ; a portion of s .veie guiy. taken
from Ihe States and ouierred on Lotijjress, for
llie sakrt buth of uuifonn iy and of rr.;it.- securi
ty, (t is to be exercised I ir the benefit of all ihe
People, by esublisluug a letfal luiider aad.aUutl
ard of valiie in fcll iransacinsis.
Hut when Congress lays duties and taxes, or
dispo'sBSuf itw 'ptillc1ands,it may direct payiin nr
to be ra:ide tu whatever incliuiil ll pleas, s.i
The. uiituoriiy to lay iax includes the power of
deciding how mey shall be paid ; and the pow
er (rained by the CuiistituiMii to dufpose of the
territory heJimginj; to the Untted Siates carries
with it, uf course, the power uf fixiiij uoi only
lk price, and Ihe cendiuons, and turns of Pay
meiil. but also ,uie ''iu'" pay ''
in respect to duties and tax and payments for
ill t .a .mil y ihe constant iirac-
lands, it has been acco y , vlje(or
".. .. .ll t :j.. ....1,1 ....lull, i
.ri-! mauriivr,... - .
iu it.r innH H411.1 - .ue .
e,nl8 at l'.f ""T ITnh.hlt double !
prupurmm. '- ,,flce ,4
purpose in view--the .. re to ,.l
r.r .. - ,i.-
the pu :. id slucus, anu ... ...or. . . ..- ,
.,..1 Jul i Uinitni ill ITlt IIIUf. 171 HOI w
(w , ke lt!C.jwWe. chafactsr to iMts )
i.issippisiiTs,anii lo. trguna laiu -'-i-
. ........ .-I.. . . . - Vl
i reasury nuies weio uwu lra-i...w
. . . i :..a.,a Ymii .....h should now :
llld UKm ; tnd, indeed,-if any sucti swaiu :
be fou.id ..utsianding. I ,'e,i- i
.. .
- n - nt. wher f;rr duties and tales. U lands
u.. .r,r,, W.,,i pytn-nta for
Unds. C :irre-s hM not Mt ,bB wilh)K1,
cimulcis eval reiruliti.ni. Ii k. lv ...
.. i i- .t . . . .
full irvr. I'iih staiules liava .io!.r.l vh.i
should bs received, frmn dobuir and I'rum pur
ehaaers, and have Mi n ground whiUtwr It
this inieiff rei.ee of Kxcuhvt) ditwreiin, or Ks
cuiivs eonir.d. S far a I know, there has
been no period when Ihia suujeH was not siil.jert
lo expr l.ui provision When tlit duly art
and Oih tonnage act a-ers passt-d, at the firxi
session of the first Cmiifrrss. an act was pmMd
al ihn same Sfs-nm, ciHii.nnin a "cti.m wtiich
premrritx-.i lh. uins,and n ibeir value, in
wlu.-h III..,. Jnne wf-ro lo Ih Mid
limn loilii th ..,.;.,... e
STIttllS lllfll
public ili lils anil thin, has been a inansr ot fix.
ed Icaal risflii. and ii. a mailer ol Kkxiuiive
dimrrliou at all. The Sc. ruiy of ih Treasn
ry has linl mi in if inwer uvr ihfs. laws that
over other laws. Il (Mu no m,.re change the
I. "a I iiio.m of payui.r ths duty than lis can
, K.
cliiingflhe ainoiilol ihe duly lobe paid ;oral
' lerljie ljal naiHof patio f, lands, with anv
proiri-ty ihm lie can alter ihe pries of
1 e ,:"l,,s 'einselvcs It would be airaniis in
! ''' ed, -if this were iiol s,. It Would lis ridieuliHi
i: .. i . . . .
----- J . m .,..w.. .
' .1. NrfV ' I. . I M f 111'.... .III..-. . I Wu ... . .il
i ,aw'- ' Ke.-ouve utbeer mar .say. in what
! iHil -er;lsws which not only hav. fixed ihr
l,r',',' "! p"hho lad, the uiaourr m mles.
i au.l Hie iime oi imvui ot. but whi-n have tied
( '.. mt'itiji'il piHcttu tn, the iit.il, or kinds
ul n hi. v. or ol uthnr ihiuiis whieh shall be re.
I . i . ... .
-,iv. ii in rnyuwni. n nss neij ecteu no pai oi
; l(s ..n. .Mt .rust : has d..l"..a.ed no Ln ol
,p.-'. i. tw,n 1 1 .1 . .
The Swcreiary considers that tliat whieh has
bxeit omt'iniil v done t n 10 yearii, that is to ii:iy,
:tl- renewing HV lieill f ir the pulllii! lands in the
ills ot speeie (iiyiii naiilts. is annum law. He
eiiU it an ' iudutg ue..." ami tins indol ience-'
ihe or-ler iruiiiM-s i.i c.iniiiiiie far a llmiied ti n1,
and in fiv.if .if a prtieul tr ctiss of purchasers.
II this w.'fi- an in I. licence mi J against law, one
luijt'ci well a .Ii. h.' Iris it hiii.iu.il tllat il
' sh mM hae e.niii,n,., so luier, e,H'i'iallv through
r .toil years, iii irke.l Ijj
! and s.-arc'iiii r iH u a '
.iich a soirit ul ihorniioli
. 1 1 : 1 1 1 !) a-.ked lin.
il this iw illeoil, a:,il in ioiliihfeue.i Hily, hy
euiituiiie it looker, mid esis-i illy why tiilioo.
ii as .o some, and ref iso lo cooLlnue it ui lo
udiers ?
15. it. sir. it is tiate to turn to the statute,
an.! t s-e what Hie legal provision is. On
!'.;:: , ,,r V -.ril I H I It. . n.uJ.ius. n.
..ie
,., ,oih H..iim-s of Congress. It was in
.. c . i . i
'lie eouitiiuii loim id a punt resolution, and
i . , ., . .
'' 1'iusMlenl ; and no
"m? I suppose, tli.il. lor the purpos.
tute I'lcd hy it.it was as authentic and va-
lid .is n law m any. other bum- It pro-
vide., tfl.tl It. mi and. alter the 2'Jtll (lay
r l-'.-1 .rti :r y nc.xl 11171 no duties, taxes,
.,..,Sf of , ,tu,.. uwruitie r ..
eiuiliilg pay t'lli: lo the l iulctl Mites,
ought lo he collected or received otherwise
Ci in 10 lbs legal currency of the V . Stales,
111 Treasury notes, or in .notes of the It ink
id die U oiled Stales, or in miles of banks
vvhicli ;ire payable in specie on demand in
the said legal currency of the 1'. Stales."
Tula joint resolution aulhorit.Hiv cly fix
ed t ie rights of parties paying, mid the tlu
ties i'f ollicers receiving. So far as rcs
:ecls itie miles of (he It ink ol 1'ie i.'uiteil
j Mates. 11 was altered by 11 law of the last
I session ; tail in all oilier particular, it is,
' is I mi jiu-e in full force ul the present
j in. mik 111 ; .111. as it expretsly auilinrizes
the l eeij I d slit h lul l, links us lira
iiy.alr.c hud iali! ml ileniailil, I call-
t'U
iimcrsl mil (iimv t!ic receipt ol suc'i
notes is a mailer d " niiliilcciicc. He
may as well say Iti.it to he aiiowed In pay
in Treasury notes, ur in I .reign nuns, ..r
mdccl, in our own o-dd and silver, is u. j 11.
linliile;eiicc, since 1 Ik- acl places ail 011 ihe
same y 1 ij ml .
'i'lie lioilntalile member fi mil .Missouri
lias, indeed, himself furnished a com 1 It te
answer to the St-crutary'a idea ; lhat is 10
i
.ay, he odditis 'ue order
on .the grounds
... ...... L
uoi only (littering Irom, but totally iiiniti- '
ststent wiih, those ussuiiied by ihe becre- 1
tarv. He does mil consider the receipt ol
bank notes, hitherto, or up to the tune of
issuing llie onler, as au indulgence, but as
a lawlul right while it lasted. Uow hcj
proves Uns right to be now lerniipated, ami
tcrminuteu oy lorce 01 uie orucr, 1 snail
11 i r .1 1 111
consider-piesenily. 1 only say, now, that
bis argument entirely, deprives the Secre
ts! y ol the only ground assigned by huu for
Uie Treasury ordei.
The Secretary directs the 'leceivers " to
receive iu i-aymeutl of-il4e,..-Jiud
nothing except what in. directed bu the ex- j
tiling laws. viz. gold and silver, and, 111 the
proper cases, Viignua laud scrip. " (iold
and silver, Jhcn, and, in Hie proper cases,
Virginia land scrip, are, 111 llie opinion of
the Secretary, all lhat is directed ly.be re
ceived by the existing laws. 1 he receipt
of bank notes, he considers, therefore, but
.... i...li.l,..inA llil.t.. u rjlltul lulu' I.I lit,
Hiuuijuiw, ...g "j.... ... - .
tolerated a little longer,, aS to some cases, .
anil then tit be hiiu.lv
with this
t ie eround uooii
,..... i-.i nr,ir must SiailU, Uie llieill-
..... i. .
ber from Missouri, nut only abandons ll
altogether, but sels up another, wholly int
.-, i. ,,..
... ,1. .,
y ..j -".- ":-,"- '
C). , j- llKfll i. III IJITri If rill it.a--a uu HIV
0f ifae onrder itseif, btU iustiu that the j
Secretary of the Treasury, liau a rilit wj
' I . . .. 1
nelect on. ami a riithl ol rejection aistk ; ami
lJlfl a,f,OII, t,e varioiis modeaof payimol
wwideiiW-4liWuUtTst
if-. ..-.--..,........:.-..---":
VOL. V- SO.
I all focwI and lawful, nil Z
,i " - - mwww P J
,hd make some af the,,,, otherwise vet
"' oinerwise, yet
l", nY T,r'" power of selection or
rejeeimn, he iniht at any time strike one
or tnore of them out of the list. And this
pow.r of selection or rejection he thinks
he fin I in the resolution of If 10 itself.
, 1 incline to ihiuk, sir. that the Secretary
will be as little smiM'ied with the footing
on which his friend, the honorable mem-
... ..in ...n-aiiuri, tiitix pinces tus nrucr.
as that friend, is wiih ihe Secretary's own
KHttllld.
ur uiv part. 1 llinik Hem ...t I.
I J ' " ' 'Si'" I IO III Bill . II1ILIT. Ill III 1
i......t.l : .. . ' . J
mcy u.s!.! aim .I..-!,,.,, the reHH.,,lttf
Ol each oilier. jt nie fUIUniH an I uiul.r.
. I . i J - "".n iw. j mn 4
stand it, Hie bouoah.e meuihcr argument 1 "'uie, t.. be r. .a!ed or iihkIiIiI only by in.ah
It is, that the law M" 181 Olives llic See- ' r' ''"''i" No l-mger ago ihaii ihe J. of (,t
ret.iry a selection ; that it pi ivnl. s four
ill Herein modes or media, of pa incuts ;
that the Secretary is lo collect t.'ie revenue
in one, or several, or ull these modes, or
media, al his discretion ; '.hat all are in the
disjunctive, as I think he expressed it ; au i
that the ie oLtion, or law is net mandatory
or. iuucJustVe in favor -of aity one.' Accor
ding to the honorable, member, therefore,
if ihe Secretary bad chosen la say (but tmr
own eagles and our own dollars should no
longer be receivable whether for custom,
taxes, or public lands, he had a clear light
to say so, and to stop their reception.
Hefore a construction of so extraordinary
acharseter be fixed on the law of 1816,
numbing like the appearauco of argu
ment, I think, might be expected in its la
v.ir. But what is there upon which to
found stifh an implied power in the Secre
tary of ihe Treasury ? I there a syllable
in tne whole law which countenances any
such idea lor a single moment ? Then
clearly is not Tiie I aw w is imeinleil in
provide and does prov.de, in what sorts ol
money or other means of i.ayuicnl ilmse
who owe dents to the Uoverumenl shall
pay those debts.
ll enumerates four, kinds of money or
i.iuirr means oi payment ; ami can any
tiling he p liner than that he w ho has to
pay may have Ins choice out of all four?
Ail hem;,' equally lawlul, tic choice is
wait ibc payer, ami not with the reeeivci.
J'Sis wnuld seem lo be too plain eilller to
he argued or denied. Oilier laws of the
United Si iles have made both gold anil nil
ver coins a tender in the payment of pri
vate debts. J)id any man ever imagine
that in thai case the choice between the
coins lo be tendered was lo lie with the
parly rceciving 1 No one could ever be
;Mii!iy id Mieh an absurdity. And unless
there lie Knuicthing in the law of Id 1U it-
Melf. wlneli ertber exprwssly, of by reason
able inference, confers a similar power on
the Secretary of the Treasury in regard lo
public payments, is there, in the nature of
limits, any did'emicc in the cases ! Now
there is nothing, either in the la w d 18 1(1.
Ur any other aw, which confers any such
powers on the Secreiary ol the treasury,
cither dirci ily or indirectly, or which sug
t'Cbis, or iiiiiiiiaics, any ground upon w hitdi
such power inilii b"1 implied. Inc.eed,
llie statement ol the argument seems lo me
eiiouoli in coul'.ilu ll. Il mikes the law of
HlCi not a rule, but lliu ilissolution of all
rule ; not a law, but the abrogation of all
exiMiui: laws.. According lo ihe aiiiiiieni,
the Secretary of ihe Treasury hud authori
ty, not only lo refuse the receipt of Treas
ury uoles, which had been issued upon the
faith id st.ilutes, expressly making tbeiu ;
I'eeeiva'ilc lor debts and l u lies, and notes
if the M ink of ihe I". Slates, w jui li were
ilsnmili! rmciv 1I1I1; ivthefaw cre.itlllL'
. . . .1
llic limit, hut to ref list; also foreign ciUus,
and the coinage of our own Mint ; putting '
inns il.c b gi-laiioii of ('.mgr. ss lor five-aiid- '
iwcntv ' ears at the unrestrained and ab- j
solute' tl'iscrcllon ol the Secret , IV uf
Tn -asm y. Ii ;.p;n ars to me tpute nupos
siLle Jb.u niiy v't-ntlcman, 011 icfliiciion,
an ui'ili riaku to suppoil such a construe
1! it the gi'iitletii 111 ru!i"s on ;i supposed
j 1 r 1 -1 1 1 lo 111 0 1 1 1 la 1 11 hi interpret ilmu of
lac law. What practice .' ja any Sec
retary ever refused lo receive the notes of
specie-paying banks, either at the custom
1 house er the laud ollices, for a single bourf
ik: ...
,.Ver. Has any Secretary presumed 10
sn ike foreign com, or Treasury uoles, or
our own 1-0111 out of the list of receivables?
Such un idea ccrta.t.lyr never entered into
1 , , t . , . '
il... lu-rnl of 11 v hi-'-relarv. I hA irioill.
demaii argues that the Treasury
rno.Je tlisi riunnalions ; but what
" "
has
dis
cumulations
I
suppose tho whole i
truth lo be simply ibis : that admitting at
all times llie right o the party paying to ,
p..y in notes of s-pccie-paying tanks, ihe
r f, 1 f ' 0 . , 1 1 1 I
collectors and receivers have not btcn ludd
. . . e ,. . 1 v
bound lo receive notes of ' distant banks of
jutlge, llierelnrt, wliether 1'ieir notes came ,
jwiibiu the law Thse collectors ariose
ccivers were hound to receive the bills fi
t9eie,ariuebaaU.,-ba,;a.-4ta
rose from the fact that the notes tendered
' , , , .
were the notes J specie-paying oaiiKs, inai ,
tact, il iiol notorious or alre nly known j
to them, must be made known, Willi, rea
. ...I.I........ r lw.f..rn ll... ill.lt til reil Wl
boiiiiiu in t.no.j , ...... ....
iwiu ,t.t-aini impeniiive. 1 suppose there
may have been Treasury orders, regulating
the conduct of collectors add rcee.ve'rs
. : . .I:. . 4...r
onlers which went
in inis ar. t-o... ",..,, ... lnA im uMUAut .. .
ivoo'i t "V . , - -
1.,..., o.-oi iros wfiiirri toi otvoiiti .tie idv.
The honorable uiemlier . quoics one of
the bydwof Ute d-te .k of the Ui.tted
. hl (l!1M f..llt. , d will, the
7. ' , ... member
tbif k lat lh by-laws ol theate hank-
011 1 'I k "s-- : -
were
taws to llie -oie u tne unuru
. .. " . 1 . I U -
I lie liana was unuer no .oo.iita.nin rc-
. . .. . i
eetve any ootes .mleposile ex eptiu own. ,
make just auch an ar-
7 VIHiM: Ml. 35.
aiufeinent with the Treasury as it saw fit,
if it saw fit to make any. But neither the
Treasury, nor the hank, nor both together,
could do away with the written letter of
set of Congress ; nor did eiu'itr undertake
so lo do.
Uoi. sr, what h ta been then-buns". wn
iipiniotis n ihia suijeci l.mt..fi.ri ? ,
ways been lYopuiHHi lhat the Secretary tytyrx
tins power of M-lf-cilon, as he new call n. ,
der Ihe law of 1Mb ? ilaa he lierHoh.rr L. k..l
! "I"'" "," "f,ous prut isii-ns of that law only ,
B pan., w tw
iliruwu into (rear and out of ucar hy ihe nitrn
I i , ... w
I " ,n- "riary a haut t t.rtainlv. eir.
; , hw ,iSM,t W(lld Kl.
' tenl . nm... i.,.L.,l,. .
i.l. (hn ho'ioralils iiiemht-r ntinsluied a rtsi.lt.-
" Ho ihe ,!iu,in the lolioMinK words.
' Uiuthtd, That, from and alier ihe day
"' ' year IS.to. not lung but ynld anil
silver .-..in ,iuln fa received lit pay nun l r
polillc land ; mi.l i,.t he Couunill.e on ' 11 hi 10
Lands be iiLimutrd lu leport a Ujll aocording
And nuw.sir. I ask why the honorable mem
ber iuovd hen- lor a bill and a la, if the li.da
mailer was, 111 (os opinion, Hiiliin Ihti pt.sei of
'he Stcieiary of ihe I'reisnry r
'1 lie em:sd.d uoi adopt ihis resolution. A
day tn mu alier us introducimn and when m,
hlileilisciissiuu h id Immui h id upon u, a molioii
in lay it on Uih uiiIm prevji;tt hir ily opp,, ,!.
lliiuk.aacepl by the gt-ntltinan'ii um n Vole. A
ek afiia ihwUtapowtiMwhtd been nVauV
ot this rrsoltition, ihs seasioii cHioe to a close,
and. seven days after the elinm of , re.itn,
lite '1 reasury 01 del iiud m, apHaraiiCe.
Hn ihia is mil all. I hole is higher aullmriiy
than evui lhatol ihe hoiiomule m. iuber. Lis.k
111,1 10 the mpirati.sia. the 1 luil.r 1 1 lln U-T.k
I Uiu ll. .,,e I'teMiii nl, n. Im. uniiual un a.
.e In Ut i eiuU r last, said II was lliiuuiheut '
00 Lunar, i uiacoiiiniue, by lav Hi, nrript
"I Hi.-, oil Is 01 ihul Lank in piniuelil i. the publio
t. v.inie Now, us I l.o rh.iri.-r wjn luexpor un
inr 3j of Maicli. ihite as iioihi.j lo umke jls
bills fee. ivable alier ilial prrluU exc.pi Ihe law
01 HH). I'o sinks Ihe provn.mii lisNClll:r
notes ol ihe Un,h .ml uf lhai law, anolher law
jtj ni'eed iitiatMiiry, awordio 1,1 u,, umf.
sijii.iii.j. : mu I ii., i,i (Welve how it .hmil.1 b
ilioii(.ln 11. c-ar), 11,011 tint eoiisiruoiou ol b
Imlioialile 10. ml,, r. lloth JIoum-s taliig uf opM.
i-m.buwtivM, lhat the Itiuiff coolu mu be done
Ain.nul taw, an acl wasps-mil In ihat ;.uriHc
and was approved ny llie I'tosnleiil . r, tlten,'
air, la llie jj. inl. man 011 atilhorii) , i,r au hor
My of the i'lemdnui, and Uih h 11 . li..ri'y of bulk
lioii.es ol dinar.-.-, lor saying thai uoihuig con
tain d ta the law art I3HJ ,. ,fUi. u(, t)f j(
oy any ulwt power than in., puviei.i.f a aule.
pieiii iiue. I am therefore ul opim-n Hut
mu in.aw.iry wdm u' the lnh July nt tatfittaa
tiie plain words and nieaiiu ( m h ul tj(i
against lh wliule piaclics of llie GoVeriuie it!
aiiUer lhat. law ; agaiual the hoiiun.bl geaile
man'auwu opinion ,a sxpruased .11 lor resoluiioq
of the 23J o A nl ; and dot uc stcibaiila v. iiq
tlie nciarty which was aupposed iy xul tut
the pa.sagu of the acl ol last session. -
On this occasion 1 haw heard of no attempt
10 justify ihe older 011 ihe Kruuud "uf an other
Uw.ur act, bui lhe ael uf t. When tha i,f.
der was puulished, however. 11 was accouiiiied
with an ripusiiMi, apparently half oliioial,
winch looked to tho landa Mi ilia Secretary a
sourcMiif power, and which took no notice al all
ol ma law ol Hltf. 'iheUndUw referred Ie
was the acl ul ISiO ; but 11 turns uul, upon -
annua 1011, li.al thure is nutbinu; i , (lk
la lo support the order, ur kiv 11 any ts.unle
itanun wUatevsr. I'he unly clausa in 11 whfck
could be supp ,serffft.at) ths ilighimi lelerenea
to ihe sulyeti is Ins piuviao 111 ll.e fn, ,.cii.
1 nal sec 1 1011 piuviats. lor the sale ol miu, ,I(1J
as having been uucv sold mi cretin, should revert
or uecotuii loll. tied tu .hn L'uiled Atales Ihmui'h
lailuro ol psyio. in, and Ihe proviso declare that
.... ..,..1. 1 ...... ... ..1 1.. .. 1 . .
( .... .u,.u ...... w: .g.iui oiw uq jny oilier
1 terms than ttiotu ol "ciish payuivni." 'I hesa
WniUs. 'cash luviiienl.' Iimwh lumn . .-.-.I ........
fjsll p.
us it in. v had ...... 1,1 - ,.1.
- , - 1. ... ... .
pormiil pruii-.lniio.il ili law ol Idlo.and altrsuy
eslauliaiicd an exclusive specie pay iiicut lor la nils,
l'e st 11011s lelaiaiion. n
J1'" ,irl l,Uw,,, vv'" le '1-m 'be sdy to
"''" hnt.s i Uul .he ll.tli, is. Ine lelui 'tnsl
r-j j .-..j..., ... uvp h. uecJio4. -
UIo.tHo lo Clt Jli, wlol-li hud foruitily been
ailow. 0 ijntil as llie sau.e .irds in tne i.,r (f
autolJniy, I&J2, inea p) n.t nt ouw 11, ii.sn.d
ul pjyai.nl Miimu oy irt,tefiTiyjrrtjaT"
llie uutles on ee11a.11 alleles sliall Is- p,d in
easli.' As lo 11 .'C .uu siclloii . f die lainl law
IIJ tf lll.-lll. ...Mil... ...II U l.l.k ,t jl.. .
oi lb JO, v 1 ul, v-assti Im .i wuh rt ul U iios li
ly in im- ,. .0. it 11 1. v..i. h I navi in. ipd,
a. f.'iiusiiiiijj iuii.uii y loi mt o.eiriaiy -..uo. r,
llleie Is Iiol Word in 11 liS'ltig toy such ten.
deiiev ; not a syllable wbieti lus any aiiaiicaim
'. '
to thu uiatU I. ... Tlial. m cii o simolv- elrM.-
Ihat after ihe tils' flay si Ju.y , iu mat yeai, ev
ry purchaser ol laud at puul.e sale shall, n Dig
iue eowie payment tlnre-
ivi , ..iu . lfui. nasei d .111 . sll-tli. l
" . ' . ' ' '
uucs a receipt lor
receipt lor ihe aiiiouiu ol ihe purcluue
ro.if y on any tract, before he shall unci, ine
sauitj al the land ufllce. '1 lus is a I I .iis-a
j nut a huw ihe puichsser sh 11 make eomfitte
payment, nor m what cumucy tim puuhue
""m7 "a" 00 received. 11 is qmie evitieiit,
u'-, u'.hal ihatseeiton knda iba Mier ,10 '
support whatever
J!.. - rt.-...i 0 .. . ,
J he defence of rtis order, then, stands thus :
Tli. SlHrH.Mr ,..,, ,1 ,1.. ......
aide, and that lbs retvipi if bank mils has been
all al.m(; an "indulgtuet,' aainsi law. FoT
'his opinion he gives im reas.ia.
Miaa.rt :iji2
Ibis d.s,ir,oe , he admits t. receipt, (.tlao k
not. 10 have beeu lawlul until mane untawlul
()y fce oHef j(r(.f .
iitsisis lhai (he -reta-
, W(.r ,lf ,.,,. lhHr ,r tt t
risuiJtrth la, ItJIfl, and ie an Huihtfriiy
.1.... ...Ii...... It Iti.l ll.u.. .1... I - . . Mr
... . - .um. . u,i nno ntn
uifieul rp..ni..n which actssnpani a il, puldii
i he order lias no faun inin law (,
llb s a .uree ol ,Hiwer, but makes a flada
" 3 " - """J mw,r""m eotm.
... ... i
so tola V licilisisieni eatinot all Oe Sound. I...1
hey ...ay bnall u.itasu.d iJmd ubethar 4e-y w
to or n.s.ia a S'M
leave to the uicsmo ulany nian . f g.asl ,
ho.,-al joiiguunt
and tioii'Hl jat;giii. nt. taka leave. 4 thispuit
ol. the case. Ku: Hie presi nl. j uuty tsiuat leasts i
"F- ".If ".-vi
,,a be turaarerdon what amund to nia e H.
v.. P...!i..i ih ...... .., .
M impur ai.t. i delicate,, an4 in. my jua . "i t
fcuriuuiVdud-.avttio present rouuieuT, with so unxfi:
"
'I
li'l
. ,. . ... y--t-
3. ' 7-