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JAN. 18 to 22, 1831.]

Relief Vessels.--Impeachment Expenses.—Trial of Judge Peck.

most exposed would derive the least benefit from the

measure.

Mr. SILSBEE explained. It was Charlestown, in Massachusetts, to which he had alluded. The effects of this storm were not over. They might last thirty or forty days. Vessels within one hour's sail of port might be blown off for leagues. Many vessels would be in that situation. It was to supply such ships with men and provisions that this bill has been introduced.

Mr. HAYNE moved to refer the bill to the Committee of Commerce, and suggested that this reference would

enable the Senate to afford relief in the most efficient manner. He also suggested that the Government now possessed the means to extend the most prompt aid to ves

[SENATE.

tional authorities which they intended to produce in support of the impeachment.

The court and Senate then adjourned.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19.

After disposing of some morning business, the Senate resumed the impeachment.

Mr. MEREDITH addressed the court for three hours, in defence of the respondent. Having become exhausted in physical strength before he could conclude his speech, the court, at three o'clock, adjourned.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 20.

The Senate spent the principal part of to-day as a Court

sels in distress. A circular from the Treasury Department of Impeachment.

could put in immediate requisition our revenue cutters for Mr. MEREDITH continued, without concluding, his arAfter one or two additional remarks from Mr. WOOD-gument in defence of the respondent.

this purpose.

BURY, Mr. SMITH, of Maryland, and Mr. LIVINGSTON,

the motion of Mr. HAYNE was negatived, and the bill was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.

Mr. LIVINGSTON then moved that the bill be forthwith read a third time, and passed.

The VICE PRESIDENT stated that this motion required the unanimous consent of the Senate before it could be adopted.

Mr. BROWN objected to it, and it could not, therefore, be received.

TRIAL OF JUDGE PECK.

The Senate then again resolved itself into a High Court of Impeachment.

Judge CARR appeared at the bar, and was permitted to make some explanation on a point of his former testimony. Mr. SPENCER, of New York, a manager on the part] of the House of Representatives, then rose, and addressed a very learned and able argument to the court in support of the impeachment. Having concluded at four o'clock, the court adjourned.

RELIEF VESSELS.

The Senate having resumed its legislative character, Mr. BROWN withdrew the objection which he had made this morning to the third reading of the bill for sending relief vessels off our maritime coast; and it was then read a third time, and passed by the following vote, Mr. FORSYTH having required the yeas and nays.

YEAS.-Messrs. Barton, Bell, Burnet, Chambers,
Chase, Clayton, Dickerson, Dudley, Foot, Frelinghuysen,
Hendricks, Johnston, Kane, Knight, Livingston, Marks,
Naudain, Noble, Robbins, Ruggles, Seymour, Silsbee,
Smith, of Maryland, Sprague, Webster, Woodbury.-26.
NAYS.-Messrs. Benton, Brown, Ellis, Forsyth, Grun-
dy, Hayne, King, McKinley, Poindexter, Robinson, Smith,
of South Carolina, Tazewell, Tyler-13.
Adjourned.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 18.

After receiving petitions, resolutions, and reports of committees, the Senate again resolved itself into a High Court of Impeachment.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 21.

IMPEACHMENT EXPENSES.

The bill making provision for the payment of the witnesses, and of other expenses incurred in the trial of James H. Peck, District Judge of the United States for the District of Missouri, was taken up. [The bill allows each witness four dollars per day, and twenty cents mileage for travelling expenses.]

Mr. SMITH, of Maryland, said that the witnesses who had attended the trial of Judge Chase had been allowed but three dollars a day, and twelve and a half cents mileage. He wished to know the reasons which had induced the committee to increase the compensation of the witnesses and the mileage in the present case.

Mr. IREDELL replied, that when Judge Chase was tried, the pay of members of Congress was six dollars: it was now eight dollars. The committee conceived it but just to fix the compensation to the witnesses at one-half of that which was allowed members.

Mr. GRUNDY said that another consideration showed the propriety of the increase. These witnesses had come of Judge Chase. Most of them were professional men, from a much greater distance than the witnesses in the case and had, by their absence from home, lost nearly a half year's practice. He should vote for the four dollars, and would have voted for six dollars if that sum had been in the bill.

The blank in the bill was filled with the sum of twelve

thousand dollars for the expenses of the trial; and, thus amended, it was engrossed, read a third time, and passed

TRIAL OF JUDGE PECK.

The Senate then again resolved itself into a High Court of Impeachment.

Mr. MEREDITH continued his argument for the respondent until half past three o'clock, when the court and Senate adjourned.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 22.

The Senate having again resolved itself into a Court of Impeachment,

Mr. MEREDITH concluded his argument at twenty minutes past one o'clock.

Mr. WICKLIFFE, one of the managers of the House of Representatives, commenced an argument in support of the impeachment at twelve o'clock, and concluded at a Mr. WIRT then rose to address the court for the relittle past three. He advanced and maintained the posi-spondent. He regretted that he had been the unwilling tions that Judge Peck had no legal jurisdiction over the publication of Mr. Lawless, even supposing it to have been a contempt, for which he imprisoned and suspended him; and that, in truth, that publication was no contempt at all. Mr. W. defended the liberty of the press with energy and zeal.

Mr. BUCHANAN and Mr. STORRS stated, for the information of the counsel of the respondent, who will tomorrow commence the argument in his defence, the addiVOL. VII.-3

cause of so much delay in the progress of this trial, and thanked the honorable court for the humanity of the indulgence which they had extended towards him. His friend might also have consumed much more time, in the opinion of some, than was necessary; but it would be recollected that two-thirds of that time had been used in reading precedents from the books. In a case in which the respondent was so deeply concerned, it would be a dereliction of duty on the part of his counsel, if they were

SENATE.]

Trial of Judge Peck.

[JAN. 22, 1831.

to relinquish any of the ground which the honorable ma- with the respondent. He admitted an equality of infirmity nagers had deemed material to their argument; and time with the honorable managers. This honorable court To what other cause than had probably been saved by the reading of the books would decide between them.

He

He

which had been produced by his colleague. It would not prejudice could he impute the language in which the rebe necessary to read them again. He should content him- spondent had been held up as a judicial tyrant, a petty proself with bestowing upon them a few passing remarks vincial judge, a monster, walking over the fallen bodies of when he should come to the cases which they presented. the constitution and laws of his country? This picture of Some topics which had, he could not but presume, been wickedness and horror had been sent as far as the press introduced for effect, it would be necessary for him to no-could range; as far as the wings of genius and eloquence tice. In doing so, he begged to be understood as treating could send it. Many a father in the remote parts of the the honorable managers with every possible respect. He country had read this account with feelings of abhorrence. knew the amiable, upright, and enlightened qualities With the paper in his hand, he had probably said to his which adorned them. Whatever they had deemed of im-son-see, what a monster is now before the Senate of the portance, he could not be so presumptuous as to pass by United States! If your country should ever elevate you to unregarded. It had been stated that the House of Repre- public station, never become such a monster as this Peck. sentatives, by a large majority, in which party had no He may no doubt have had respectable parents; he may share, had voted this impeachment. What was the object once have been respectable himself; but see what a monof this remark? Why was it introduced here? Could it ster of crime, of shame, and of ignominy, he has now beenter into the consideration of this honorable court, whe- come! How long would it not be before this cruel error ther the House of Representatives had been hasty or not; could be corrected; before it would be seen, upon the teswhether party had influenced them in the vote which they timony of the most respectable gentlemen, that this mongave for this impeachment? Would it be decorous in the ster was one of the most mild, patient, kind and courteous respondent, or in those who were connected with him, to of human beings: so amiable, that, in the language of one impeach their proceedings? He knew too well his duty of the witnesses, he was dear to all who knew him. to that honorable House, to this honorable court, and to could not help ascribing the terrible picture which had his humble self, to step so far out of his way as to question been drawn of the respondent, to some unaccountable prethe motives for this impeachment. The House of Repre- judice. He adverted to other topics, of which the honorTheir able managers appeared to him to have taken a discolored sentatives were the grand inquest of the nation. article of impeachment against Judge Peck was the finding and distorted view. The respondent had been represented as an enemy to of the grand jury. Would it be proper, in a case before a petit jury, for counsel to appeal to the proceedings of the the freedom of the press; a principle sacred to all. This judicial mongrand jury; to say that they had, by a large majority, un- was represented to have scoffed at it. influenced by party spirit, found a bill of indictment? ster was described as having walked over the prostrate Would not the court, in that case, stop counsel, and say liberty of the press, and as having attempted to sncer and Where had he said this of it? to him, sir, we have nothing to do with the grand jury, snarl it out of existence. or its motives; we are to try this case upon its merits, Where had he uttered one sentiment of disrespect towards without reference to what passed in the grand jury on the the liberty of the press? Not here, certainly. But he subject? The finding of the grand inquest is simply the had done so in his defence before the House of Represenaccusation. The honorable House had not come here to tatives, which had been introduced as evidence here, for sacrifice a victim whom they had fore-doomed to destruc. the purpose of establishing this charge against the responLook at that defence, and see whether he has tion. They had done nothing more than to declare that dent. "It is the offence with which the respondent had been charged, treated the liberty of the press with contempt. was worthy of a trial. The respondent was not there, said, that in punishing this publication as a contempt, the before the honorable House, upon his trial. They had judge has invaded the liberty of the press." What is the sent him here to be tried. What was the fundamental liberty of the press? And in what does it consist? Does feature of a trial of that sort? It was, that the accused it consist in a right to vilify the tribunals of the country, was presumed to be innocent until he had been found and to bring them into contempt, by gross and wanton guilty. But, if the remark of which he was now complain- misrepresentations of their proceedings? Does it consist ing were to have weight, that principle would be reversed. in a right to obstruct and corrupt the streams of justice, The accused was to be presumed to be guilty until proved by poisoning the public mind with regard to causes in to be innocent. He hoped to hear no more of the majo- these tribunals, before they are heard? Is this a correct rity, or the motive by which this impeachment had been idea of the liberty of the press? If so, the defamer has a instituted by the honorable House. He considered such charter as free as the winds, provided he resort to the remarks improper. The respondent stood here unknown, press for the propagation of his slander; and, under the almost alone, a stranger from the western wilds, to breast prostituted sanction of the liberty of the press, hoary age the storm of this impeachment. He trusted to this honor- and virgin innocence lie at his mercy. This is not the idea able court for a fair trial, and relied upon the correctness, of the liberty of the press which prevails in counts of jusand innocence, and purity, of his own conduct, for an ho- tice, or which exists in any sober or well regulated mind. norable acquittal. He would be tried by the simple, na- The liberty of the press is among the greatest of blessings, ked facts and principles of the case, and not by the dramatic civil and political, so long as it is directed to its proper obexhibition of fancied analogies which they had witnessed. ject, that of disseminating correct and useful information Was the respondent to be involved in the turpitude of all among the people. But this greatest of blessings may bethe wicked judges of England; in the guilt of the unspar- come the greatest of curses, if it shall be permitted to ing Jeffreys, the tumultuous Scroggs, and the tyrant Brom- burst its proper barriers. The river Mississippi is a blessley? He trusted not: he hoped that he would be tried ing to the country through which it flows, so long as it upon his own merits alone. He admonished the honorable keeps within its banks; but it becomes a scourge and a managers, that something was continually occurring to destroyer when it breaks them. remind us of the infirmity of human reason contending press has always been the favorite watchword of those who It has been, from time immeagainst human prejudice. This must teach charity to all. live by its licentiousness. He apprehended the existence of some extraordinary pre-morial, is still, and ever will be, the perpetual decantantum Oswald attempted to screen judice which had influenced and inflamed the spirit of this on the lips of all libellers. prosecution. He, too, might be the victim of prejudice; himself under its ægis, in the case which has been cited But the attempt was in vain. The of that friendship which a close intimacy had produced from the 1st Dallas.

"The liberty of the

JAN. 22, 1831.]

Trial of Judge Peck.

[SENATE

If

court taught him the difference between the liberty of the mencement of this trial, been subjected to a commentary press and the licentiousness of the press. and, in his fur- so severe, what might not be expected in its sequel? It ther attempt to raise an impeachment against the judges had been charged upon the respondent, that he had dared for that sentence, the House of Delegates confirmed the to attempt to buy off this impeachment by an intimation wholesome lesson. If, indeed, the liberty of the press was that he was entitled to consideration and exemption, bea panoply broad enough to cover every thing done in its cause he had decided the case of Soulard in favor of the name, nothing in the form of a publication could ever have United States. It had been alleged that he had tried to been punished as a contempt of court. In all the report-buy off the House of Representatives by dirty acres. ed cases, in which those publishers have been called to he had done so, he was a vile and degraded man, and, he answer for a contempt, wherever the defence has appear-would add, one of the most consummate fools that ever ed in the report, it is the liberty of the press which is the sat upon the bench. But where had he said this? At perpetual theme. It is uniformly claimed to be the right the close of his defence, he [Judge Peck] observed, of the citizen to question the acts of all public men, and that, in this proceeding, he was actuated by a sense the changes are continually rung on that great palladium of official duty. He considered it his duty to sustain of human rights and human happiness-the liberty of the the dignity and authority of the court over which he press; as if human rights and human happiness could be had been appointed to preside: he considered it due to promoted by the prostration and destruction of courts of the Government which he represented; due to the trijustice, or by poisoning their streams in the fountain head.bunal, and due to the suitors whose rights were comIt is unnecessary to pursue this subject. The judge has mitted to its protection, to punish this contempt as he did never pretended that his opinions are not to be questioned. punish it. He did consider himself, and does still consider He insists, however, that they are to be questioned only himself, as sustained, at every step, by the highest authoriaccording to the laws of the land. One mode of question-ty. He believed it, conscientiously, to be his solemn and ing them, under these laws, is by appeal to a superior imperious duty to make the example which he did make, court; and, after the subject-matter shall have been finally more especially in relation to the country in which he decided, another mode of questioning them is, by respect-holds his courts, and the nature of the claims which he ful discussion, either in the public prints or elsewhere. was called upon to adjudicate, and which had produced In the present case, the first mode of questioning the opi- this agitation. If, in so doing, he has erred, he has erred nion, that by appeal, had been resorted to. For the second in company with judicial characters with whom any judge mode, that of respectful discussion, the case was not ready, may be proud to associate; and he has yet to learn that because the subject-matter had not been disposed of final- such an error would be a high misdemeanor in the sense ly; and even if it had been, it has been shown that there of the constitution of the United States. Judge Peck is was no semblance of investigation in this article; no pre-perfectly aware of the purposes to be answered by his tence of discussion of any kind. It was sheer misrepre-removal, and is, therefore, not at all surprised at the persentation; and it does not follow, that, because an opinion of tinacity with which it has been sought for the last four a court may be respectfully discussed, it may, therefore, be years. Whether these purposes are such as the interests misrepresented; much less, that it may be so misrepresent- of the United States call upon them to countenance, by ed as not only to impair the confidence of the public in the ordering further proceedings in this case, is a question dignity, intelligence, and purity of the tribunal, but to ren- for others, not for Judge Peck. Confident he is, that, if der both the judge and the court objects of universal con- he had been made of more pliant materials, and could tempt, scorn, and ridicule; and least of all, that, in doing have reconciled it to himself to consult his repose, rather this, a strong prejudice shall also be infused into the pub- than his sense of duty, the House would not have been lic mind with regard to causes still pending in the court." troubled with this inquiry." Was this, sir, a proposition to Was this [demanded Mr. WIRT] a sneer at the liberty of buy off impeachment? Was this the language of a man the press? Was there here any snarl at the liberty of the crouching under the charge which had been alleged against press? Was the declaration, that it was the greatest of hu- him? There was no attempt, here, to screen himself by man blessings, confined to the dissemination of truth and a bribe; by an appeal to the interest of the honorable intelligence among the people, an attempt to bring the li- House of Representatives. It was the language of a man berty of the press into contempt? Was not the doctrine indignantly asserting his innocence, and turning upon his here laid down by the judge the sound doctrine concern- accuser. It was no attempt to buy off punishment. Let ing the liberty of the press? And would it not meet the candid and honorable men read and decide for themselves. approbation of all, except the libeller? To be useful, the There was another circumstance which he felt himself liberty of the press must be restrained. The principle of called upon to notice with unspeakable regret. He had restraint was impressed upon every part of creation. By heard of it with pain, while confined to his bed. The restraint the planets were kept in their orbits. The earth respondent, held up, as he had been, before these crowdperformed its regular evolutions by the restraint of the ed galleries, and this assembled multitude, as a judicial centrifugal force operating upon it. The vine would shoot monster; a petty provincial tyrant; thus caricatured, eminto rank luxuriance, if not under the restraint of the laws paled and crucified, before this nation, with these lacerated of nature, by which every thing was preserved within its feelings, having occasion to speak to a point of evidence, proper bounds. Was not every thing on earth impressed he had betrayed an emotion with his trembling hand; a with this principle? and was not the liberty of the press to tear had started from his eye. Was it wonderful that the be restrained to the performance of its rightful functions respondent, innocent and simple-hearted as a child, with of propagating truth for just ends? It was not always his reputation at hazard; with an aged parent, whose gray those who were loudest in their clamors for the liberty of hairs he did not wish to send down to the grave with sor the press, who were its best friends. There be those who, row, should have thus betrayed his feelings on the occawhen they hear those bursts of genius and eloquence upon sion? Yet, an honorable manager [Mr. WICKLIFFE] had the liberty of the press, could say, like poor Cordelia- represented him as shedding feigned tears, crocodile tears, before this assembly and this nation. Did the honorable manager recollect the prosecution of Sir Walter Raleigh by Sir Edward Coke? Did he remember the spirit in which that prosecution had been conducted? Did he recollect that Sir Edward Coke had stigmatized that gallant soldier as a spider of hell? Let him ask the honorable manager which character he would rather bear with pos

"Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave

My heart into my mouth: I love your Majesty
According to my bond; nor more, nor less."

He thought there had been no occasion for the remarks which had been made on this subject. Judge Peck loved the liberty of the press with as much purity as those who had been so loud in its praises. If he had, in the com

SENATE.]

Trial of Judge Peck.

[JAN. 24 to 28, 1831.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27.

terity-that of Sir Walter Raleigh or Sir Edward Coke? | causes not pending in court, were misdemeanors, which He had the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with the could only be punished by indictment and trial, and that honorable manager; he well knew that unkindness and the conduct of Judge Peck tended to break down all the barbarity were far removed from his heart. What, then, securities and guards which the law had raised for the probut some unaccountable prejudice could have induced tection of the liberties of the American people. these remarks? They had gone to the world. It would Before he concluded, the court adjourned. be a long time before this trial would go before the world, to correct the impressions which the representations of honorable managers had made. He had, therefore, been anxious to show that the respondent was not the judicial vestigate the present condition of the Post Office DepartMr. CLAYTON, from the Committee appointed to inmonster that he was charged with being; that he had not ment, offered the following resolution, observing that the violated the liberty of the press; that he had not attempt- committee were unanimously of the opinion, that, in order ed to buy off this impeachment; that he was amiable, to prosecute that investigation with effect, it was necessapatient, and forbearing, both as a man and a judge, and ry that they should be empowered to send for persons and that the epithets applied to him had been the effect of prejudice, of heated and perverted imaginations, having no foundation in fact.

Mr. WIRT was proceeding to consider the merits of the case; when, at the suggestion of Mr. WEBSTER, the court adjourned.

MONDAY, JANUARY 24.

papers.

Resolved, That the Select Committee appointed to exDepartment have power to send for persons and papers. amine and report the present condition of the Post Office

Mr. CLAYTON moved the second reading and adoption of the resolution at this time; but this motion requiring the unanimous assent of the Senate for its passage, and Mr. BENTON objecting to it, the resolution lies on the

The Senate having again resolved itself into a Court of table one day. Impeachment,

Mr. LIVINGSTON submitted the following resolution: Mr. McDUFFIE rose and said, that in consequence of Resolved, That the Committee on Finance be instructed a remark of Mr. WIRT yesterday, he felt himself called to inquire into the expediency of making further proviupon to say, in substance, that the publication of his re-sion for the support of Africans captured by vessels of the marks, in opening the case against Judge Peck, had been United States, and brought into the United States. made without his authority; that the report of these remarks must have appeared evidently imperfect, though probably as perfect as, under the circumstances, it could have been; and that, if he had been consulted, he should have advised against the publication.

TRIAL OF JUDGE PECK.

The Senate then again resolved itself into a Court of Impeachment.

Mr. STORRS concluded his argument in support of the impeachment. Its sequel was peculiarly impressive and Mr. WIRT acceded to the correctness of these sugges. eloquent. One sentiment uttered by the honorable mantions, and appeared to do so the more readily from the ager is especially worthy of record. He said the best fact that he had seen his own remarks, made on Saturday, support of the judiciary was to be found in the affections published this morning, without his having been consulted of the people. The people would be true to the judiciary on the subject. He added, that he was sure that nothing as long as they were true to themselves. The judiciary had been said by the honorable manager in his opening would find protection with the people, and in their legisspeech, of the truth of which he had not been entirely lative halls, until they should become so debased as to be satisfied.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25.

The Senate again resolved itself into a High Court of Impeachment.

unworthy of protection. It was not by the usurpation of an unlawful and tyrannical power, nor by the exercise of an unlawful jurisdiction, that they could expect their independence to be respected or preserved; and he seemed to press this point so far as to think that the character, utility, and fate of the judicial branch of the Government depended upon the decision of this case.

The court and Senate adjourned.

FRIDAY JANUARY 28.

Mr. WIRT occupied four hours in concluding his speech for the respondent. Wit, sarcasm, searching argument, and impressive eloquence, poured forth in streams, riveted the attention and elicited the admiration of a crowded Senate-room and crowded galleries during that long space of time. Whatever might be the fate of the respondent, The resolutions submitted yesterday by Mr. CLAYTON, said the graceful orator, in subdued and almost exhausted and Mr. LIVINGSTON, were severally taken up and tones; whether convicted or acquitted, he should always adopted. be proud to take him by the hand as that noblest of God's works, AN HONEST MAN, and to call him HIS FRIEND. The ourt cand Senate then adjourned.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26.

After the consideration of a number of private bills, &c. the Senate again resolved itself into a Court of Impeachment.

TRIAL OF JUDGE PECK.

The Senate again resolved itself into a High Court of Impeachment.

Mr. WIRT, with permission, explained a remark which he was understood to have made towards the conclusion of his argument in favor of the respondent.

Mr. BUCHANAN then rose, and addressed the court in an able argument in support of the impeachment. He Mr. STORRS rose and addressed the Court in support declared, that the usurpation of an authority not legally of the impeachment, for upwards of three hours. He possessed by a judge, or the manifest abuse of a power maintained the position, that no free citizen could be pun- really given, was a misbehavior in the sense of the conished by the summary process of attachment for a libel or stitution, for which he should be dismissed from office. contempt against any court in a cause not pending in that He contended, that the conduct of Judge Peck, in the case court; that such a power had never been exercised, even of Mr. Lawless, was in express violation of the constitu by the courts of England; that the charge against Judge tion and the laws of the land; that the circumstances of Peck was not so much for suspending Mr. Lawless, as an that case were amply sufficient to show a criminal intenattorney, from practice in his court, but for imprisoning tion on his part in the summary punishment of Mr. Lawhim, and depriving him of his liberty as a citizen, without less; that, in order to prove the criminality of his intention, indictment and trial by jury; that libels or contempts, for it was not necessary to demonstrate an actually malicious

JAN. 29, 1831.]

Duty on Iron.

[SENATE.

action, or a lurking revenge; that the infliction upon Mr. Mr. WOODBURY admitted the fact, that the subject of Lawless of a summary and cruel punishment, for having the memorial related immediately to manufactures, and to written an article decorous in its language, was itself suf- manufactures the most important to the country; but they ficient to prove the badness of the motive; that the conse- were directly concerned with commerce, and, in the end, quences of the judge's actions were indicative of his in- were vitally interesting to it. The memorial should then tentions; that our courts had no right to punish, as for go to that distinct committee. The gentleman from New contempts, in a summary mode, libels, even in pending Jersey had made an allusion to the memorial, praying for causes; and that, if he succeeded, as he believed he should, a drawback on nails. He had and still thought that that in establishing these positions, he should consider that he memorial had been very properly referred to the Commithad a right to demand the judgment of the court against tee on Commerce; not that nails were not manufactures, the respondent. The honorable manager continued to but because the object of the memorial was for the beneaddress the court for three hours and a quarter; and find- fit of the commercial interest. Suppose, [said Mr. W.] ing that he could not conclude his argument at this sitting, the memorial related to the manufacture of cannon and the court adjourned till to-morrow. gunpowder, would it not be more appropriately referred to the Military Committee than the Committee on Manufactures?

SATURDAY, JANUARY 29.

DUTY ON IRON.

The VICE PRESIDENT communicated a memorial from the mechanics and others, workers in iron, of the city and county of Philadelphia, praying for a reduction of the duties upon imported iron. It was referred to the Select Committee, to whom a former memorial on the same subject was committed.

Mr. DICKERSON said he could explain the reasons which induced him to wish this subject referred to the Committee on Manufactures. It was becoming the practice of late, whenever a petition was presented to the Senate praying for the repeal or reduction of duties on iron, on woollens, or almost any other article, it was immediately sent to the Committee on Commerce, thus tending to throw the weight of these interests into the The VICE PRESIDENT also communicated a memo- hands of the merchants of the country, to the exclusion rial from sundry inhabitants of New Jersey, praying a of a fair representation of the views of the manufacdrawback of the duties on iron, and other articles employ-turers. If we take the view of the gentleman from New ed in the building of American ships.

Mr. DICKERSON moved the reference of this paper to the Committee on Manufactures.

Mr. HAYNE suggested that it more appropriately belonged to the Committee on Commerce; and he made motion accordingly.

a

The question being first taken on the reference to the Committee on Manufactures, there appeared ayes 12,

noes 10.

There being no quorum voting,

Mr. WOODBURY called for the reading of the memorial; which being done,

New Hampshire, [said Mr. D.,] the Committee on
Manufactures will soon be a mere nominal com-
mittee, shorn of its influence upon the action of
Congress.

Mr. KING observed, that he had been under the impression that it was the object of the Congress of the United States to give to every subject presented to them by our fellow-citizens such a consideration as would induce them to believe that the investigation had been conducted with fairness and deliberation. Now, sir, said he, if we refer this memorial to the committee on Manufactures-a committee confessedly hostile to its objects, will it be believed by the memorialists that their liberate examination? By our sending it to that commitviews and arguments had met with fair, candid, and detee, they cannot think otherwise than that we have preMr. DICKERSON said the first motion was on referring judged their case, and decided against it without giving the memorial to the Committee on Manufactures. it the slightest consideration.

Mr. HAYNE said he still thought the Committee of Commerce to be the proper direction for this memorial. It referred to drawbacks on various articles, and this consideration would induce him to adhere to his motion, to refer it to that committee.

It

deeply involved the interests of one of the most important Mr. K. would not enlarge on this view of the subject; manufactures in the country, ship building, which, though he would only leave it to the gentleman from New Jerultimately looking to the commercial, yet was as vitally sey, whether he believed that any report of the commitinteresting to the manufacturing concerns of the country. tee, over which he presided, would be favorable to the Without at A memorial praying for a drawback on nails, had been memorial, if, indeed, they reported at all. referred to the Committee on Commerce, although the this time entering into any argument, he would merely subject would more appropriately come under the cogni- express the hope that the memorial would be referred to zance of the Committee on Manufactures. such a committee as would satisfy the memorialists that the Senate was disposed to give to their views a fair and candid examination.

of Congress seemed, in any event, to forbid its being sent to the Committee on Commerce. If it were not referred to the Committee on Manufactures, it surely should rather go to the Committee on Finance.

Mr. BENTON said, if he comprehended the views of the gentleman from New Jersey, he was hostile to the objects of the memorial; and, therefore, the committee over Mr. FOOT said he was somewhat surprised to hear it which he presided was not a fit tribunal to decide on its contended that this subject belonged exclusively to the merits. Under that belief, he [Mr. B.] would invoke to his Committee on Commerce. The memorial prayed for a aid a rule of the Senate, which he had successfully done drawback upon various articles, classed among the maon a former occasion, providing that no bill or memorial nufactures of the country. The practice of both Houses should be committed to a committee hostile to it. As far back as our legislation had commenced, it had been the wholesome practice, except in a few instances, to refer all subjects to committees deemed favorably disposed to them, on the principle "that a child should not be put out to nurse to those who would strangle or destroy it, by refusing it sufficient nourishment." Under the belief, then, that the Committee on Manufactures, over which the gentleman from New Jersey presided, was hostile to the prayer of the memorial, he hoped it would be referred to the Committee on Commerce, where it would meet with a more favorable consideration.

Mr. WOODBURY said he wished to state, in illustration, one or two facts that had occurred to him, in consequence of the remarks of the gentleman from New Jersey. The memorial on the subject of a drawback on nails manufactured from imported iron, had first been referred to the Committee on Finance, and that committee had been discharged from its further consideration, and it had been sent to the Committee on Commerce; so

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