་ 2769 FEB. 24, 1834.] Bangor Memorial. [H. OF R. perceive, what must be evident to every mind, that, if league. But, says he, "they are devoted partisans;" there be a stagnation of business, a scarcity of money in they listened to the first intimations made in Congress, the great markets to which their lumber is usually sent, and, finding some of their leaders calling for "immediate He says, if we had intimated the demand for that article will be greatly curtailed. The action," they have echoed back the sound, and call also pressure for money to meet engagements now made will for "immediate action." I have received in- an intention to prolong the debate, they would have called be inevitably felt, and seriously felt. telligence-not directly from Bangor, indeed, but from the out for prolonged debate. Now, sir, I am for immediate vicinity, and from persons acquainted with the course of action as much as my colleague is; but what action do business there-that the prospects for the ensuing season gentlemen propose? Do they not tell us that the experiare very unpromising. Contracts and orders for furnish- ment is to be fully tried?-that nothing is to be done ing lumber have not been made or given to the same ex-until it has been tried? Do the Committee of Ways and tent as usual, and, in some instances, have been counter-Means propose "action?" No, sir. We know full well manded. This may not be present distress; it is, how. what their report will be. I venture to predict that it will ever, a sad omen of future but near approaching embar-be nothing more than a labored vindication of the reasons of That is all, sir: it will propose rassment, which these memorialists are exceedingly anx- the Secretary for the removal of the deposites-a studied We shall be called on to do nothing but ious to avert: they see the approaching tempest, and they justification of that act. no "action." Is that "action?" Is that to ask for shelter. But, sir, as to the matter of these resolutions and this me- to approve the reasons. morial, which my honorable colleague thinks so discredit-be a remedy for the ills which now afflict the country? The necessity for the debate which has been for some able to the persons who have had an agency in framing and adopting them-as my colleague has not stated where- time carried on is to convince the committee and the House in the sentiments are so unworthy or unsound, as he has of the necessity of doing something-of making an effort to not pointed out their absurdity or their fallacy, I have change the present condition of our affairs--of acting, and no means of knowing in what point to defend them, if I acting effectively. Now, sir, while we are urging upon deem them in that particular worthy of defence. I have you to do this, what is the answer? Why, we are told but this moment run my eye hastily over them, and over things are not to be changed-the present measures are the names attached to the memorial; and I confess, sir, I to be continued--nothing is to be done to reverse the have not been able to discover any thing that the citizens Executive decree--but, if you want action, stop the deof Bangor need be ashamed to avow; I see nothing which bate. And for what, I ask? Only to enable the committee On the contrary, I to bring in a report justifying the act and the reasons of the I deem indefensible on this floor. think, from a hasty examination, that the sentiments which Secretary; and that is the action, and the only action, we they convey are sound and honorable. I have not the pleas- have any reason to expect the House will be called upon ure of a very extensive acquaintance in the city of Bangor, to make. Sir, that is not the "action" these memorialists and to most of the signers of the memorial I am, personally, call for; and our debate has been conducted, and must yet a stranger. But I think I run no hazard of contradiction be carried on, to convince you that some other "action" Passive acquiescence will not do. when I assert that the petitioners comprise by far the is absolutely necessary to rescue the country from its preslargest portion of the active business men of the place-ent embarrassments. As to the allegation that these memorialists are "devoof the men of intelligence and respectability. They are not men ignorant of the course of business upon which ted partisans"-following their leaders--I think I am quite they undertake to speak; nor incapable of making known safe in saying that, in this particular, they need not fear a in suitable terms, and maintaining by suitable arguments, comparison with those of the same city, who, my colleague the opinions which they put forth. The citizens of Ban- says, refused to participate in these proceedings; nor with gor generally, and those who composed the meeting the 1,700 majority which elected him to a seat on this floor. which adopted these resolutions particularly, are as re- I believe them as independent, and as capable of forming spectable, as intelligent, as public-spirited, as much enti-their own opinions, as any portion of the citizens of this tied to the respect and consideration of this House, as the country whatever. They have put on no man's collar. What inference my colleague intended should be drawn same number of individuals taken from any section of the Union whatever. That city, it has already been remarked, from the language of one of the resolutions, to which he has increased in population with astonishing rapidity; emi-adverted, declaring that the meeting would not consider gration to it has been active from other sections of Maine, the question whether the bank had violated its charter or and from Massachusetts, and from New England gener- not, I was so unfortunate as not to understand. If the ally. I believe, sir, these States are not very far behind particular purpose was to convey an idea that the meeting in general intelligence and education, and the knowledge inclined to the opinion that the charter had been violated, of what pertains to the interests of the country. And I and that even those who were friendly to the bank could believe, also, that those who have emigrated to Bangor not justify its proceedings, the inference is unwarranted. have carried with them a fair proportion of the general perceive, by reference to the resolution itself, that this intelligence of the community. I confess, sir, that I am question was very justly regarded as pertaining to a tribuastonished, that I am mortified-deeply mortified-that my nal equally remote from popular or executive influence. colleague has accompanied the presentation of these pa-It is wholly a question for the judicial tribunals; and the pers with remarks calculated to do these memorialists so meeting, in giving their opinion that it ought to be decided great injustice in the eyes of the House. I wish to res-there, have, in my judgment, very properly shown a discue them, if I may, from the condition to which I am sen- position to submit to the laws of the country, and to prosible his remarks would subject them, if permitted to go test against executive or legislative assumption of judicial They wish not to discuss the question: they unanswered. Of the political sentiments of a very large powers. majority of these memorialists I am entirely ignorant, and leave it where the law leaves it. I wish this example was shall therefore say nothing; and I regret that my personal more frequent in popular assemblies. acquaintance is too limited to enable me to do each one vored with not a few resolutions declaring that the bank of them that full justice which I am confident they de- had violated its charter-bad transcended its powers-that serve. Those with whom I have the honor to be person- it is unconstitutional; and, indeed, deciding all the great ally acquainted, I can assure the House, are gentlemen legal questions growing out of its charter, and its conduct of high and honorable character, of intelligence, of pub-under the charter. lic and private worth; and I know they do not deserve We have been fa Sir, many of these questions have been considered and the notice they have received at the hands of my col-decided by the various departments of this Government, VOL. X.-174 H. OF R.] Memorials from Banks in Connecticut. [FEB. 24, 1834. upon full and careful consideration, and after deep research convenience of the Government and of the merchants, and and argument. They have occupied the attention of the useful to the interests of all, in the preservation of a greatest minds which this country has produced. The money currency, and of a salutary restraint on the im constitution and the laws of the country have provided banks of our country. tribunals for the ultimate decision of them. But all this Emanating, as these opinions did, from men who know will not do. The judicial tribunals cannot be trusted. and feel the value of a sound currency in every transaction Every popular assembly, large or small, which can be of business, and every employment of labor; who made to respond to the executive opinion, has gravely sent the blighting effects of a stagnation of business, and the us its learned decision upon these great topics; and we deranged state of the circulating medium, the embarras have been sagely instructed, by resolution upon resolution, ments of trade, and the limited demand for labor, that the bank has forfeited its charter--has exceeded its coming from men of high and honorable standing in t powers; and, in a word, that all the charges brought against community, of practical knowledge and experience, a it by the Executive, and, perhaps, I may add which may having no other interests to subserve than such as were be brought against it, are undeniably true. Sir, I com- common to their fellow-citizens throughout the wis mend the caution and propriety of the resolution which my country, they were entitled to the most respectf colleague has referred to. I commend it, because it shows sideration. Mr. H. said they did not appear to belong a disposition to submit to the laws--a disposition which I wish was more prevalent here and elsewhere. that class of political economists who desire a State are note currency to the exclusion of every other, nor to ta other class who believe it is wise and practicable t the experiment of a metallic medium. They seeme sirous that the old path, which had led to individ national prosperity, should be regained and pursued were anxious that Congress should retrieve the s consequences which had resulted from a departure from it. In these views, Mr. H. said, he entirely conce MEMORIALS FROM BANKS IN CONNECTICUT.be enabled to present to the House the opinions of pr and that it afforded him no inconsiderable gratification Mr. HUNTINGTON, of Connecticut, presented a reso- tical honorable men, for whose intelligence and respers Jution adopted by the board of directors of the Bank of bility he could so fully vouch; and he trusted they w Hartford, in the State of Connecticut, in favor of a re-not fail to have their due weight with those to whom they charter of the Bank of the United States, and of a restora- were now expressed. With these observations, and in order to enable the House and the nation to judge whether these memorialists deserve the reproach which has been cast upon them, I move that the report, resolutions, and memorial be printed. After some further observations by Mr. PARKS, the motion was agreed to. tion of the deposite of the public money to said bank. Mr. H. said he also presented to the House the men Mr. H. presented a similar resolution of the board of rial of all the banks in the city of Norwich, Connecticut, the Phonix Bank of Hartford, Connecticut. (four in number,) signed by their respective presidents, Mr. H. also presented a memorial of the several banks which states that they are deeply impressed with the pres in the city of Norwich, in the State of Connecticut, in favor ent deranged circumstances of the commercial and bank of rechartering the Bank of the United States, and of re- ing interests of the country, as connected with the enter storing to that bank the deposites of the public funds. prise and industry of all classes of society; more esperay In offering these resolutions, Mr. H. said he held in his when contrasted with the general prosperity here hand resolutions of the respective boards of directors of existing. That they have inquired with solicitude to the the Phoenix and Hartford Banks in Connecticut, on the existing causes, and are convinced that the embarrassme subject of the present unexampled distress and embarrass-have arisen from the altered relations of our Governes ment existing in the country, and which he asked leave to to the Bank of the United States, which have derange present to the House. These banks had large and solid the currency and impaired the confidence of the com capitals, (each, he believed, exceeding a million of dol-nity; the result of which has been, and is now daily lars,) in which the State was interested as a proprietor, erating in the suspension and failure of many indivi where moneys of the State, of the school fund, and of many and commercial and manufacturing establishments. The religious societies were invested; they were located in the memorialists state that they approach this House and city of Hartford, where there has been for many years a Senate with confidence, as the guardians of the rights and branch of the Bank of the United States, and were under privileges of all classes and portions of our beloved the direction of intelligent business men, whose informa- try, and with a respectful but earnest request that fo tion and practical knowledge enabled them to form a cor- gress would interpose its power to meet the wide-sprea rect judgment of the causes of the existing distress, and ing evil. the remedy for it. He could assure the House that these gentlemen were of the highest respectability, and their the gentlemen who compose the direction of those d Mr. H. said he was acquainted with, he believed, Opinions entitled to great consideration. In the resolu-ent banks, and could say of them, as he had already st tions of one of these banks, it is represented that, in the of the directors of the other institutions, to whose res opinion of the directors, the restoration of the public de- tions he had referred, that they were highly respectabl posites to the Bank of the United States would be the oc- intelligent, practical business men, and sincere, disister casion of most essential relief from the pecuniary scarcity ested, and honest in the expression of the opini and distress now existing in the country, and that the re-tained in their memorial. The corporations of which ter chartering of the same bank, with suitable modifications were the officers were located in a flourishing and th of its powers, would be found the most effectual means of ing city, situated at the head of navigation re-establishing commercial credit and confidence. In the principal rivers in the State, with a on one of the population comme that it would contribute to the relief of the mercantile and begun to feel deeply the distress which commenced in est resolutions of the other, the board express the opinion cial, mechanical, and extensively manufacturing; who b deposite of the public moneys to the Bank of the United bankruptcy and ruin. The gentlemen connected with States, from which it has been taken by the Secretary of these institutions witnessed the difficulties and embarras the Treasury; and that the renewal of the charter of that ments attending the successful pursuit of honest industry bank, with suitable restrictions of the powers now vested and enterprise, the failure of merchants and manufacturer in it, or, if that may not be, the establishment of a new na- the derangement of the currency, and the loss of pub tional bank on similar principles, is indispensable to the confidence; and they use language dictated by a cons manufacturing interests of the community to restore the large cities, and which threatened to involve ted FEB. 24, 1834.] New Haven Proceedings-Berks County Memorial. [H. OF R. MEMORIAL OF BERKS COUNTY, PA. tion of its truth when they state that the distress now so towards the Bank of the United States, and that no adeprevalent should be met, by continuing to the people the quate relief can be given but by a speedy restoration of great and necessary advantages and facilities appertaining the deposites, and a recharter of the bank." He moved to the existence of a national bank, either by the renewal their reference to the Committee of Ways and Means, and of the charter of the present institution, or in some similar that they be printed. arrangement that shall forthwith restore those wonted accommodations, so vitally important to a healthy condition of our financial and social interests and concerns. Mr. H. said that the rules of the House precluded him from enlarging upon the topics presented in this memorial and these resolutions. He had stated what they contained, and the high and honorable standing of those on whose behalf they were presented, and the respectful consideration which was due to their representations; and, having discharged this (to him) grateful duty, he would move that they be printed, and referred to the Committee of Ways and Means, where other memorials of a similar character had been sent. PROCEEDINGS at NEW HAVEN. Mr. FOOT presented the proceedings of a meeting of a large number of the citizens of New Haven, in the State of Connecticut, held on the 13th of February instant, in favor of rechartering the Bank of the United States, and of restoring to that bank the deposite of the public funds. Mr. MUHLENBERG presented a memorial of farmers, mechanics, manufacturers, and others, citizens of the county of Berks, in the State of Pennsylvania, praying that the deposites of the public money may be restored to the Bank of the United States. Mr. M. said, in presenting this paper, he wished to be indulged with some remarks, and he promised those who had petitions to present that they should be very brief. He represented a district composed of the single county of Berks, with a population of 60,000 souls. The 1,850 signers to the memorial were a part of that population, and but a small part of his constituents. He deemed it proper for a representative to present any petition from any part of his constituents, whether he concurred with their views or not. In the present instance, he differed toto cælo from the memorialists, and he believed that a large part of the citizens of the county coincided with him in his views. He believed that the restitution of the deposites would lead to the recharter of the Bank of the United States, to which result he would undertake to say that two-thirds of his constituents were opposed. What change of opinion would be produced by the continuance of the present pressure and derangement of currency, he was not prepared to say, for he was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet. Time and experience would This paper (said Mr. F.) contains the names of about show. These men were a minority of his constituents; seven hundred of the active business men of that beautiful but they were a respectable minority. He observed among and flourishing city, with their several occupations. The the names many of the highest respectability, whose resolutions were passed at a public meeting by only three opinions were entitled to great respect. But the great dissenting votes; they have been signed on full delibera- mass of the signers had always been opposed to the prestion, and, I believe, express the views and feelings ent administration; with how much effect, the result of of at least two-thirds of the qualified voters. These men the election had shown. Another portion of the signers reside in my vicinity, and many of them were my associ-were friendly to the President and his administration until ates in commercial pursuits for many years, and their intel- the President signed the bank veto message. Another ligence cannot be questioned. As the fact of the existence of great distress in the country is no longer denied, after being proved by some forty thousand witnesses on this floor, he should say nothing on that subject. In offering these proceedings, Mr. F. said the chairman of this meeting was one of the oldest and most respectable merchants in that place. He was the son of a tried patriot of the Revolution, who signed the declaration of independence-a distinguished member of the old Congress his name was Roger Sherman! portion were still warmly attached to the President, but differed with him in relation to the policy of a bank. His duty compelled him to add, that by some persons he had been requested to say that many were induced to add Mr. F. said his colleagues and himself had already their names to this memorial by statements and coloring presented petitions from their constituents, praying relief! which were unfounded in truth. Without expressing an they have now sent us, not petitions, but resolutions! in opinion as to the expediency of removing the deposites, language not to be misunderstood and not to be disre- he must say that he was opposed to their restoration at garded. In the preamble to the resolutions, they refer the present time, because it must have the effect to proto the time and circumstances of the country when duce the recharter of the present bank. The one measthis bank was chartered; the causes which induced the ure would necessarily lead to the other. If he thought passage of the act for chartering the bank; its severe that the opinions of his constituents differed from his own, losses in the attempt to restore a sound and healthy cur- he would not say that he would conform his views to their rency, equal to gold and silver; its ultimate success, and opinions; no-an opinion deliberately formed, with ref its beneficial effects upon the interests of the country. erence to the interests of the whole people, he would These men do not consider this bank as a "monster," not compromise. But, sir, (said Mr. M.,) I would instantly whose power is so dangerous; for they have only felt its resign my seat, and give my constituents an opportunity benefits. They are not terrified at this cry of "mono- to elect an individual who would represent their sentipoly," or "moneyed aristocracy!" They recollect how ments. But he believed that a large majority of his condifficult it was to obtain subscription to its stock; they stituents coincided with him in opinion on this subject. know that, without the subscription of Stephen Girard of He was sustained in this belief by two large meetings Philadelphia, and some individuals in New York, who as held in the same county, one of them consisting of 800 sumed the balance of the stock, this charter, which was citizens, with the proceedings of which he had not thought voluntarily offered by Congress-not on the application proper to trouble the House. As a mark of respect to from moneyed men, or the capitalists of the country, but the memorialists, and to show for what purpose the meemanating from the wants of the Government-came very morial was circulated, and what object it was covertly and near, and would have been, a total failure. They are will-insidiously made to subserve, he would ask that the meing to trust the use of this power of doing good, as they morial be read. use the power of the elements or of steam, for the benefit After the memorial was read, of man-as an agent or servant, not as a master! They Mr. MCKENNAN said he wished to ask of his coldeclare "that the present embarrassment and distress are league [Mr. MUHLEN BERG] whether he had understood to be attributed to the hostile attitude of the Executive him correctly, when he supposed him to say that the per sons who had signed that memorial had some covert and insidious object to answer by their proceeding? Mr. MUHLENBERG denied that he had used such language. Mr. McKENNAN said that his object was merely to meet and resist an attack which he supposed was made upon gentlemen, with some of whom he had the pleasure of an acquaintance, and as to whose character for integrity, intelligence, and worth, he would feel it his duty to bear testimony, whenever or wherever attacked; but, as his colleague had disavowed the use of the language which he supposed he had used, he was called upon to say nothing more on the subject. [FEB. 24, 1834. hastily formed, nor are they hastily abandoned; and, however a certain set of politicians, to suit their own selin purposes, may undertake to asperse, misrepresent, te mislead them, yet he felt convinced that, when they shoul once be made to understand-when the light of th should once penetrate, and the great questions, of pas mount importance to them, which now agitated the wa Union, should be presented to their strong and disera nating minds, they would not be prevented from com to a just and proper decision by any such intimation the honorable gentleman had thought proper to make. No, sir, (said Mr. W.,) let the light of truth onces upon them, and they will not stop to ask whether it be Mr. BINNEY asked to be informed by the Speaker come from the Philadelphia school; nor will they pern: whether the memorial presented at the Clerk's table was any one to insinuate that it has sprung from a corrupt exclusively in the English language, or whether a coun- degrading source. They know too well what is due terpart, in German, formed part of the memorial; and, their own dignity as freemen. Sir, the day of retributes upon being informed that the memorial presented was is at hand, when those who have ventured so long to t altogether in the English language, he said, that as seve- per with the honesty and best interests of an upright ral of the petitioners understood German better than Eng-ple will be taught a lesson they will not shortly f lish, and some, perhaps, did not understand English at all, In conclusion, Mr. W. remarked, that he had he was induced to ask the member from Pennsylvania pounded the question, and felt assured that his colleague who presented the memorial, whether, when it was given would answer it, with the candor and manhood whic to him to present to the House, the memorial was not in formed part of his character. both languages? Mr. MUHLENBERG replied that there were two copies of the memorial-one in English, and the other in German; which last, for convenience, had been detached. Mr. BINNEY would further ask, whether it was so detached by the gentleman who presented it? Mr. MUHLENBERG: Certainly. Mr. MUHLENBERG: If my honorable friend v take care of his own district, I will take care of t I am responsible to my own constituents for here, and forbid any interference of the kind. I ha spoken respectfully of my constituents. In using the term "covert," I intended to convey the idea that see to the memorial were obtained with a view to the reMr. WATMOUGH rose and said, that he was happy charter of the bank; whereas there was not one word that his friend and colleague from Washington county had the memorial about the recharter of the bank. If the put to the honorable gentleman from Pennsylvania the question was put to his constituents, whether they were question, which so naturally occurred to him on hearing in favor of General Jackson, two-thirds of them would what had fallen from his colleague who had just presented say-yes; and if they were asked whether they were is the memorial from the citizens of Berks. He was equal- favor of a recharter of the bank, two-thirds of them ly happy that his colleague from Berks had so promptly would say-no. replied, and repudiated the idea supposed to have been Mr. McKENNAN said: My colleague now admits that conveyed, and which struck him (Mr. W.) with so much he used one of the offensive terms which I had altricted pain. There was, however, yet one part of the remarks to him, notwithstanding his previous disavowal. He d of the gentleman who had presented the memorial to which no answer had been given, and which appeared to him to be infinitely the most objectionable of all that had been so strangely uttered. Mr. W. desired to be inforined whether his colleague, in the concluding remarks of his speech mits that he attributed to the memorialists a covert de sign; and I have to regret that his memory and me differ as to his having used the term "insidious" inte same connexion. But, I ask, how is he justified in alle ing that an attempt was made to mislead and deceive people; and that the object was really to effect a rechar ter of the bank, under the cover of a pretence to p cure a restoration of the public deposites? Where is is Mr. WATMOUGH persisted, and said he wished to be evidence? There is not a word about the recharter of informed correctly, whether his colleague did mean to the face of the memorial; and he would undertake say that the subscriptions to the memorial had been ob- say, that many of the gentlemen who had signed the tained by improper and dishonorable means. The honor- paper would spurn the suggestion that they had a able gentleman evidently conveyed this idea; and said fur- tempted any deception. ther, that the doctrines expressed in the body of the me The SPEAKER here interposed, and said it was not in order to propose interrogatories to members. morial were such as could alone have come from a certain had no doubt that many men whose names were on t Mr. MUHLENBERG rose to explain, and said that be quarter, to which the people were not accustomed to look, paper would spurn the suggestion that they had and upon which they could not be induced to rely. tempted to make a false impression, or had practised Mr. Speaker, (said Mr. W.,) as a Pennsylvanian, feel- any deception; but that there were some underings ing deeply the importance and dignity of my native State, who would not be so particular about their conduct and resolved, at all hazards, and upon all occasions, to He said he would like to know how many of the es what quarter soever they may come-on the present occasion, a proper regard to my own constituents, as well as to the highly respectable individuals whose names were league? to his col the inquiry by propounding another to my coll Mr. McKENNAN resumed, and said: I will answer appended to the memorial, induces.me to reiterate the I will ask him to name the underlings, to whom he unde request made by my honorable colleague who spoke first. takes to attribute the charge of fraud and deception. Sir, (said Mr. W.,) I know full well the honesty and in- is due to the House, and due to the persons implicate tegrity of the people of Pennsylvania. No State in the A course of this kind will enable his constituents is Union has been more highly distinguished for the sound judge of the correctness of the imputation, policy of her administration, and none more for the fixed just, would afford the persons so and, a seriously implicated an icy out. The opinions of her people, it is true, are not He said it was not for him to interfere between his col and settled purpose with which she has carried that pol-opportunity of acquitting themselves of so grave a charge FEB. 24, 1834.] Berks County Memorial. [H. of R. Mr. MUHLENBERG had no objection to it, and should comply with the request. He also stated that he had no objection to the printing of the names. league and his constituents, as to the nature or binding have signed it if the German copy had not been apinfluence of their instructions; but he wished to vindicate pended, it was a sufficient reason for presenting the Gerthe character of respectable individuals from an unjust man copy with the other. imputation. He must, however, be permitted to say to his colleague, and to the House, that a memorial signed by upwards of eighteen hundred persons, scattered over a congressional district, and their signatures obtained in a very short time, was entitled to serious consideration. He would submit to his colleague whether, under the circumstances, it was not a full, and loud, and powerful voice of his constituents; and, as such, ought to be respected? Mr. WATMOUGH demanded the yeas and nays on his motion, and they were ordered. Mr. TURRILL objected to printing names of this, or any similar memorial. It was time to put a stop to this kind of operation. We had already printed half the names in Philadelphia, at the public expense. What was the obThe SPEAKER asked whether the gentleman from ject? Not to enlighten the members of this House in rePennsylvania intended to embrace the names in the mo-gard to the question: any one who wished to see what tion to print. Mr. MUHLENBERG said he did not. The memorial was then ordered to be printed. Mr. WATMOUGH moved the printing of the names appended to the memorial. weight was attached to the names could go and read them Mr. BINNEY said this motion was connected with the inquiry previously made by him, as to the memorial in the German language. As many of the names would be found in the German character, he wished to have the German original before the House, as an answer to the Mr. MILLER was indifferent whether the names were suggestion, whenever and wherever it might be made, printed or not; but he was at a loss to imagine why this that the memorial was submitted to the subscribers in a system of catechising members was introduced. His collanguage which they did not understand. Since the alle-league had stated, expressly, that the memorialists were gation of insidious and covert designs had been made, many of them highly respectable men. The effect the production of the German memorial had become es- that the memorial was intended to have could be seen by sential to protect the petitioners, or some of them, from any one. He believed, himself, that it was impossible to misrepresentations, designed or undesigned, that they draw a distinction between the question of a restoration did not understand the paper which they had set their of the deposites and the recharter of the bank. Who names to. He said that, while up, he would avail himself could doubt that the restoration would produce a recharter? of the occasion to say that he did not admit the theory And he had understood his colleague, [Mr. BINNEY,] with of the gentleman who presented the memorial--that he his accustomed frankness, to avow the opinion that, unless had such a property in his constituents as to warrant him the bank were rechartered, the restoration of the deposites in saying (as in substance he had said) to his friend from would be of no avail. In regard to the duplicate memorials another district in the same State, [Mr. WATMOUGH,] we were contending about, they were both the same, and that he should mind his own business, instead of interfer- it was of no consequence which was presented to the ing with the district of the gentleman who presented the House. memorial. He did not admit the theory; but, on the con- Mr. MCKENNAN said, as he was referred to by his coltrary, when a body of most respectable petitioners were league, [Mr. MILLER,] who had thought proper to come subjected to the remarks which the House had heard, he up to the defence of the gentleman who had presented the should at all times assert the right to interfere for their memorial, he begged leave to submit a few observations protection, whether they belonged to his own district or in reply. He says that my honorable colleague had borne not. Several of the petitioners he knew as among the his testimony to the respectability of the memorialists, and most respectable inhabitants of Berks, itself one of the had treated his constituents with perfect fairness. I wish most important counties in Pennsylvania; and he also to call the attention of the House to the language of my knew that they were as much above the employment as colleague on the presentation of the memorial. It is true they were above the influence of underlings for insidious that he stated that the memorial was signed by upwards and covert designs of any kind. Unless the German of one thousand eight hundred persons, many of whom original was annexed to the English memorial, the print- were respectable-some of them persons who had belonging of German names might become the occasion of mis-ed to the Jackson party, but who had seceded since the representation. veto upon the bank bill; and some of them were still adMr. MUHLENBERG rose only to explain the circum- hering members of the party, who differed from the adstances in connexion with the separation from the memo- ministration on this particular measure. But, at the same rial of the German translation. The original memorial, time, he undertook to impute to those persons, in whose as brought to him, was written in English and German. favor he had thus testified, a covert and insidious motive. It was so much mutilated, that he handed it to the per- This, in my view, sir, is giving a character of his constitson from whom he received it, to make a new copy for uents with a vengeance, and one for which, I venture to presentation to the House. It was not proposed to him, say, they will not thank him. I feel it my duty, on benor did he think it necessary, to present also the Ger- half of many of these memorialists, to pronounce the imman copy. He had no objection to the presentation of putation an aspersion on their character, and to call upon the German copy. If gentlemen wished it, they could both my colleagues to produce the proof upon which the have it. charge is attempted to be supported. But my colleague on my left [Mr. MILLER] puts it to me and the House to say, whether all do not believe that, if a restoration of the deposites should be effected, the recharter of the bank must necessarily follow. For myself, sir, I will undertake to answer that there is no necessary connexion. Gentlemen may, in order to justify themselves before their conMr. WAYNE said, if it could be supposed that a sin-stituents for supporting a high-handed, unjustifiable, and gle individual who had signed the memorial would not destructive measure, use their efforts to connect it with a Mr. MERCER said that the memorial directed to be presented was written in two languages; and, therefore, when the German portion of it was withheld, the House was not put in possession of the whole memorial. Mr. BINNEY would simply request the gentleman to hand the German copy to the Clerk. |