DEC. 17, 1830.] The Post Office Establishment. [H. or R. which are now confined to members of Congress should be here to express their wants and wishes? If a committee extended to members of the State Legislatures in the several of this House are incapable of deciding on a post route, States? It had often struck him, said Mr. B., that if they without first obtaining the approbation of the Post Office were the real and sincere friends to a general diffu- Department, (except so far as mere courtesy is concerned,) sion of intelligence, which might be inferred from their then that clause of the constitution which gives to Conzeal for multiplying mail routes, would they not more ef- gress the power to establish post offices and post roads, fectually promote that object by some such arrangement had better have been so worded as to confide that power as he had alluded to? The members of the State Legisla- to the Executive branch of the Government. Mr. J. said tures were more spread among the people, and lived more he was truly very unfortunate in being thus exposed to among them, and were consequently the best acquainted the buffets of his friends, for he had been opposed by with their wants and wishes; an arrangement of this cha- none but those who were his friends, both personal and racter would overbalance a thousand of these small routes, political. He had expressed his opinion-it was a candid while it added less to the expenditure of the department. one-and he was sorry he could not withdraw it, or recall Mr. B. concluded by saying that he had esteemed it his any thing he had said: nor could he consider the force of duty to submit these views on the general subject, and his argument lessened by what he had heard. One word expressing his hope that the House would act with great to the worthy gentleman before him, [Mr. BELL,] (than coolness and caution in so important a department of le- whom he knew none more worthy, or for whom he felt a gislation. truer respect;) that gentleman was wrong in supposing Mr. BUCHANAN, of Pennsylvania, disclaimed any in-him to have said that any money would in this case certention of entering into a discussion of the general subject, tainly have to be appropriated. It would be a delicate but would offer one or two words in explanation of the thing to make such a declaration beforehand; but he had reasons which would induce him to vote against the declared that if, when the time arrived, an appropriation amendment. Waiving the question whether this bill ought should prove necessary, he was prepared to vote for it. to pass or not, he objected to the amendment of the gen-He again declared, that, rather than deprive the country tleman from Kentucky, [Mr. WICKLIFFE,] because it of such a benefit, he would give the money necessary to vested the Postmaster General with an absolute discretion obtain it. His very worthy friend from Pennsylvania [Mr. in the application of the funds of his department, and en- BUCHANAN] had expressed a wish that the Post Office abled him to decide without appeal among three hundred committee had ascertained the precise amount requisite to conflicting claims for the new mail routes proposed in the carry the bill into effect; that gentleman was so much and bill. This confided to a single officer a weight of respon- so constantly engaged in other labors of a very different sibility which pertained to Congress alone. Mr. B. said kind-[Mr. B. is chairman of the Judiciary committee]— he entertained both respect and friendship for the distin- that he had overlooked the fact that the department had guished officer at the head of the General Post Office; ascertained the amount referred to, and had reported it to and as his friend, he felt unwilling to impose upon him so the House at $82,000. This was the amount originally onerous a burden. Exercise this discretion how he might, inserted in the bill, and which the House had yesterday he was sure to give great offence. Each applicant for resolved to strike out. This amount was not asked by the favor would esteem his own route best entitled to prefer- department: the department asked for no appropriation; ence, and there would be three or four hundred of these but this was the answer given by the department to the applicants struggling with each other for a boon which, inquiry of the Post Office committee, as to the amount perhaps, could be extended to but three or four individuals; required to establish all the new routes in the present bill. the rest were sure to feel offended. What, asked Mr. B., is For himself, Mr. J. said, he would rather let the bill sleep the duty of Congress in this matter? To put only such on the table, than adopt the amendment proposed by his routes into the law as the resources of the department colleague. That amendment appended, and the bill would will enable it to meet; and between the various claims for amount to nothing; nay, it would be worse than nothing, such admission, Congress should itself decide, and not for it would confer a legislative discretion on the head of devolve its own responsibility on the head of any indivi- the Post Office Department. His worthy friend [Mr. dual. In both these views of the subject, he felt opposed BELL] had said that it appeared the policy of the Governto the amendment. He should rather appropriate at once ment, in relation to the Post Office, was about to be the sums that might be thought necessary, than entrust changed. He said not. It would not be changed at all, such a responsibility as was proposed by the gentleman until an appropriation should actually have been made. from Kentucky to the head of any department. On the contrary, should this bill be laid asleep, then the Mr. JOHNSON again addressed the House. He con- policy of the Government would indeed be changed. sidered himself very unfortunate in not having been un- Then this House would, in effect, say to the people of the derstood--he knew with certainty that his friends would United States, "while your own President, the man of not wilfully misunderstand him--he must, therefore, attri- your choice, the man whom you elected at the polls, fills bute the mistake to some defect on his own part. He the chair, you are to enjoy less privileges than you ever had not said, as seemed to be supposed, that the Post had before; you are to be indulged with less mail accomOffice committee had acted in total independence of the modation, in proportion, than under any former adminisPost Office Department, in judging of the necessity of tration." Sir, said Mr. J., I am not willing to say this to the various routes proposed to them; but that they had the people. I do not, indeed, connect my support of this acted without holding themselves obliged to consult the bill with this or with that particular administration; but I department, whether routes should be adopted that cannot consent that we should now, for the first time, bewould require appropriations from the treasury. On gin to withhold privileges from the people. I again resome of the routes in this bill, the committee had obtain-peat, that I consider myself unfortunate in being opposed ed the details from the department. Whenever they by my friends, and by such friends. I am, I declare, had rejected a route asked for, the rejection was record- almost in doubt whether I must not be wrong, seeing I ed, together with the reasons for it. But, supposing the differ from them; still, however, I do not so far doubt committee had acted in entire independence of the de- as to change my opinion: and if this amendment shall be partment, who, he asked, could be better qualified to adopted, I shall immediately move to lay the bill upon give the committee all the information it needed to en- the table. lighten its judgment than the members of this House? Mr. HOFFMAN, of New York, expressed his regret Men who come from the country where the route must that the gentleman at the head of the Post Office commitmust run? Men who reside with the people, and are sent tee found it necessary to avow that he felt indifferent VOL. VII.--24 H. OF R.] The Post Office Establishment. [DEC. 17, 1830. whether this bill would or would not charge the Govern- increased expenditure proposed in this bill? Surely not. ment beyond the income of the Post Office Department. Had it not been echoed and re-echoed, as well by the I had thought that it was an acknowledged settled princi- President and the head of the department as by all the papers ple in reference to the management of that department, of a certain description, from one end of the Union to that its revenues should not be excceded by its expendi- the other, that the Post Office was in a high state of prosture. The idea, either of making the Post Office a source perity? Yet, what did the House now see and hear? of revenue, or of suffering it to be a burden on the trea- Gentlemen, professedly the friends of the administration, sury, he understood to be alike abandoned. He had been hesitating to pass the ordinary biennial post office bill, lest under the impression that the committee, when they re- it should compel the department to make a draught upon the ported this bill, believed that the revenues of the depart-treasury! Such a fear must be idle indeed. Surely this ment would be sufficient to meet the expense of all these House was raising a clamor against the department, which routes. In this, it appeared, he was mistaken. Mr. H. would meet with no credit out of that House. The House said he should not vote for the amendment of the gentle- had been informed by the head of the department, in his man from Kentucky, [Mr. WICKLIFFE,] although he felt public official communication, that a saving had been efvery sensibly the force of the argument of the gentleman fected, in making contracts this year, of seventy-two from Pennsylvania, [Mr. BUCHANAN.] He concurred with thousand dollars. Yet gentlemen had branded that branch that gentleman in the opinion that it is the House, and not of Government by the unfounded supposition that its exthe Postmaster General, who should fix upon the routes penses had run beyond its income to the amount of eightyto be carried into effect; but it was perhaps too late to two thousand dollars. Could this be true while a saving hope for this now. It would require a revision of the had been effected to nearly that whole amount? The thing whole bill, and, to be properly done, would also demand a was incredible. One gentleman had even supposed that knowledge of the relative expense of each route. But not less than two hundred thousand dollars would be needif the gentleman from Kentucky [Mr. JOHNSON] was right ed to carry into effect this bill. Yet the head of the dein his belief, that it would probably call for no appropria- partment asked no more than eighty-six thousand dollars tion to carry the bill into effect, then the objection of the as sufficient to cover all these routes. The last bill of this gentleman from Pennsylvania of course fell to the ground. kind burdened the department only to the amount of If all could be accomplished, then there would no diffi- twenty thousand dollars. One was passed in 1826 esculty occur from having to select from among them. Mr. tablishing various new routes, and another bill in the folH. said he preferred the insertion of the amendment to lowing year. The latter, it is true, was passed against the danger of embarrassing the revenue by calls for ap- the opinion of the Postmaster General, who desired that propriations hereafter. For, although the gentleman the routes in the previous bill should be suffered first to go from Kentucky thinks that an appropriation will be readi- into operation before any others should be added; but the ly voted, if called for, to make up any deficiency caused House thought otherwise, and passed the bill. But, as he by the passage of this bill, yet the Committee of the had observed already, the whole expense incurred by Whole, and the House, with a knowledge of the increasing these bills had been long since defrayed, and the departdeficit of the department, had voted to strike out the ap- ment had since been officially declared to be in a flourishpropriation from this bill. If the committee abandoned ing condition. The gentleman from Kentucky had alluded their proposition now, what reason was there to suppose to certain proceedings in the Senate. Such allusions, Me that the House would willingly assent to it hereafter? thought, were not in order. Under all the circumstances, Mr. H. said he thought it would be better to pass the bill with the amendment than without it. [The CHAIR interposed, and observed that Mr. WICKLIFFE had made no allusion that he heard to the proceedings of the Senate. Had he done so, it would undoubtedly have been out of order, and the Chair would have interposed to stop any remarks of that kind. Mr. WHITTLESEY, of Ohio, expressed his regret that the gentlemen from Kentucky and Tennessee [Messrs. WICKLIFFE and BELL] had not looked into the documents Mr. WHITTLESEY said he thought the gentleman submitted to Congress at the opening of the session, be- had alluded to committees of inquiry. Mr. WICKLIFFE fore they had taken the ground they had now done, in offered to explain, but Mr. WHITTLESEY proceeded.] offering and in supporting the amendment. Had they He admitted that the routes ordered by the bill of 1827 done this, they would have found abundant evidence to did not go into effect till January, 1829. One quarter show that a bill like that now under discussion might be was due in April, and the present Postmaster General was suffered to pass, without the least apprehension of a defi- not concerned in the result until July, 1829. At that time ciency of funds to carry it into effect. Had the language the department had, by its own showing, upwards of of those documents been referred to, the whole of the two hundred thousand dollars at its disposal. On the present discussion might have been avoided, and the bill whole, Mr. W. concluded it to be utterly impossible that been by this time engrossed for its third reading. The with this surplus then, and its very rigid and economical documents would show, that when General Jackson came mode of conducting business since, the Post Office Deinto office, the Post Office Department had the sum of partment should not be in circumstances to meet the protwo hundred and thirty thousand dollars at its disposal. In visions of the present bill. Did he wish to injure the his first communication to Congress, he informed that body credit of that department, he could not employ language that great improvements had taken place in the adminis- better calculated to effect that object, than that now held tration of this as well as other branches of the Government, and that large savings had been effected in its funds, which had been formerly squandered away, owing to the irregularity of the public accounts. He told Congress, that at that time the Post Office Department was in a highly prosperous condition. Now, there had not a single new post route been authorized since 1827. In that year, it was true, the expenses of the department had been increased to a certain extent, but the expense had long since been defrayed. Under these circumstances, could the Mr. STORRS, of New York, said that he had come to gentleman who introduced the amendment, or the gentle- a different conclusion from his friend from Ohio, [Mr. man who had supported it, entertain a reasonable doubt WHITTLESEY,] and thought it best, on the whole, to vote of the ability of the Post Office Department to sustain the for the amendment of the gentleman from Kentucky. by the gentlemen who advocated the amendment: what was more likely to excite an alarm in the minds of the people, than that the affairs of the department had not been properly conducted? If gentlemen, after all that had been said of the flourishing state of the Post Office, would nevertheless admit that it was unable to add these routes without calling on the treasury, the conclusion was inevitable that there must exist very great improvidence in its management. DEC. 17, 1830.] The Post Office Establishment. [H. OF R. He took it for granted that, if the bill was passed, it right that those who reaped its advantages should be at would be the duty of the Postmaster General to put the the expense of maintaining it. Rather than add to its exnew routes into operation, and gentlemen had said that pedition in its condition, he would be willing to vote a they amounted to a hundred and fifty or two hundred. gross sum at once from the treasury, to pay off the eighty Now, said Mr. S., I do not think it quite fair towards that thousand dollars excess of the last year, put the dedepartment, in the present condition of its finances, to partment fairly afloat, and let the Postinaster General impose this new burden upon its resources. It has been begin the next year with a new account. said, in the course of this debate, that no new post routes Mr. MAGEE said he did not rise for the purpose of have been put into operation since 1828. Yet, on look-taking a part in this debate, but merely to correct the ing at the report of the Postmaster General, at the pre- great mistakes which seemed to prevail in some parts of sent session, the debt of the department appears to be the House, as to an enormous increase in the expenses of increasing. It is stated in the report, that the expendi- the Post Office Department. The bill of 1827, for esture of 1827-8 was $1,623,893; of 1828-9, $1,782,132 57; tablishing additional routes, did not take effect until 1829. of 1829-30, $1,932,707 06; so that the expenditure of The routes then ordered did not go into operation until the last year exceeds that of 1828-9 by the sum of more January, 1829; and the first payment did not come on than one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and about until May of that year. The sum of one hundred and three hundred thousand dollars more than in 1827-8. He twenty-nine thousand dollars, therefore, expended, was did not mean to find fault with it. Though there may to be deducted from the formidable amount stated by his have been no new routes to cause this increase, it may colleague. Mr. M. said he had mentioned these facts for perhaps be accounted for by the increased facilities af- the information of his colleague, who professed such enforded on the old routes, or the calls on the department tire ignorance as to the cause of the "enormous increase," for old claims or allowances, or in many other ways. It as well as that of the House. would not be right to disapprove of it without accurate Mr. JOHNSON said that, with a view to relieve gentleand full information as to the causes of it, as it might, men from the great fears they professed, lest the nation perhaps, be fully and satisfactorily explained. He did should think there had been a gross expenditure in the not mean to give any opinion about it, and had only Post Office Department, he had intended to advert to the alluded to it to show that, even under this increased ex-facts just stated by the gentleman from New York. He penditure, the report further showed that the excess of could also inform the gentleman, that since the adoption expenditure over the receipts had pretty regularly in- of the federal constitution, and even before that consticreased too since 1827. This excess is stated in the same tution had any existence, the Postmaster General had report to have been, in 1827-8, $25,015 85; 1828-9, possessed absolute power to increase, at his own discre$74,714 15; 1829-30, $82,124 86. The postages have tion, the frequency of the mails, from one day in a week increased from the years 1827-8, to the last year, more to six-ay, and to seven, too, if he thought it most expethan two hundred and twenty thousand dollars. Now, it dient. He could also, at pleasure, increase the speed of cannot be sound policy to burden that department with the mails; nor were the public journals silent as to the the new expenditure to be created by this bill, before the increase which had actually taken place, both in their old debt is paid off, or lessened; or at least put on the de- frequency and speed. The Postmaster could multiply crease, instead of increasing yearly. It is very true, as their passage from three to six times every week of the the Postmaster General very justly observes, that the year, and even to seven times, thank God, when it was yearly ratio of increase of this excess for the last two years necessary. Yet his friend over the way, without explaindoes not keep pace with the yearly increase of receipts. ing any of the facts which he had stated from the docuBut the amount of excess is, in fact, increasing yearly; ments, expresses his utter ignorance as to the causes and it is that circumstance to which he, Mr. S., wished which have led to the result he refers to; a gentleman, to call the attention of the House. The amendment of too, of his distinction, who, I thought, added Mr. J., knows the gentleman from Kentucky will prevent this excess almost every thing. For himself, Mr. J. said he could from increasing any more, at least through the legislation see no necessity whatever for involving this thing in party of Congress. He thought it would be time enough to considerations. He never had, and with God's help he think of putting more burdens upon the post office fund, never would imply censure by his language on that floor, when this excess of expenditure began to diminish. The where he was unwilling directly to express it. His friend, old routes would undoubtedly be able to maintain them- too, from Ohio, [Mr. WHITTLESEY,] had thought it ne selves in two or three years more, if the future increase cessary to allude to some imputation made under the preof postages shall equal the increase of the last two years. sent administration, to prodigality under the past. He In the mean time, he thought it unwise to throw new ob- could not for his life see the necessity of alluding to this, stacles in the way of the present increasing prosperity of even had the fact been so; but it was not so. He had the department. He should vote for the amendment of never seen a word from the present head of the Post the gentleman from Kentucky, because he thought it Office Department reflecting, in the slightest degree, on would have a tendency to relieve the department from the worthy and meritorious gentleman who had been his the very unpleasant necessity of overloading its resources. predecessor, and he should be glad—no, he recalled the He considered it his duty, as a member of the House, to word, he should not be glad, for the matter did not percontribute his aid to this desirable result. It was not as tain to the subject before the House-if his friend from a friend of the Postmaster General, which some gentle- Ohio would point out the spot, and would give the House men, during the course of the debate, had avowed them- the chapter and verse where any such imputation was exselves on this floor to be. He had no particular friendship pressed. For himself, he esteemed and honored the late for that officer, nor any enmity towards him. Indeed, he Postmaster General, as he esteemed and honored the preknew of no friends in legislation. It was not strictly a sent officer. He knew, indeed, that some such thing as parliamentary word. The public interest requires that that alluded to by the gentleman from Ohio, had been Congress should not, in the present condition of the de- afloat in the public journals; he regretted that they were partment, do any thing to embarrass the Postmaster Gene- so abusive on both sides. He wished it were otherwise; ral in his laudable efforts to keep the expenditure of his yet, no matter how abusive it might be, the public press office within its income; and Mr. S. said that it was only was the great palladium of our liberties; the present because the public interest did require it, that he should Postmaster, he was perfectly sure, had never intended to support the amendment. The policy of Congress had cast the least imputation on his predecessor-nor had he been to make that department support itself, and it was done so--he had indeed stated that new arrangements H. or R.] The Post Office Establishment. [DEC. 17, 1830. had been made in administering the affairs of the depart- as the gentleman desires information on this subject, I will ment. It had been divided into different bureaus, and endeavor to inform him what has become of the $309,000 some reforms had been introduced in its expenditures, which he speaks of. I find in the report of the Postbut the statement of this implied no censure on the gen- master General, which accompanied the President's late tleman who had gone before him. message, the following: Between the 1st of July, 1829, and the 1st of July, 1830, the transportation of the mail was increased in stages equal to On horseback and in sulkies Making an annual increase of transportation, equal to 745,767 miles a year 812,871 miles a year Mr. J. said he should not reflect upon his friend from "In the several States, improvements in mail faciliNew York, who had professed so much ignorance as to ties have been loudly called for; and in many instances the details of the Post Office Department. He hoped the the growing population and extending settlements of the gentleman had been sincere in all that he advanced; as to country have absolutely required them. In making such himself, he was but a plebeian in rank, and a plebeian in improvements, care has been taken so to extend them as language. He felt that he had been unfortunate on the to give the greatest possible accommodation at the least expresent occasion. His language certainly had not been pense, and in such a manner as would be most likely to inwell understood, for a third friend [Mr. HOFFMAN] had crease the revenue. It is in part owing to these improveseemed to conceive that he had uttered a sort of bra- ments that the amount of revenue is so much augmented, vado, intimating that he cared nothing to what extent he though they have, at the same time, considerably increased scattered the public money. Such a sentiment was far the expenditures of the department. from his mind. What he had said was, that when such a valuable accommodation was to be secured to the people, he would not stand to inquire whether it would cost eighty thousand or two hundred thousand dollars. The good obtained far overbalanced the money it might cost. He hoped, after these explanations, that it would not be necessary for him again to rise during the present debate. Mr. DANIEL was in favor of the amendment. He should not be prevented from voting for it by the consi- beyond the amount of any former period." deration, which appeared to have weight with some genFrom this the House would at once see the reason of tlemen, that it would impose too great responsibility on the increased expenditure of that department. But, while the Postmaster General. That officer, he had no doubt, on this subject, he would make one or two observations. was willing to take and bear all kinds of responsibility. In the course of last summer it was said in many places He has the power now to discontinue any post road if it is that the Post Office Department was insolvent, and that it not beneficial to the community. He has the power also had been made so by the present incumbent, and that he of increasing mail accommodation upon every route; and had asked an appropriation of money from the treasury to there will not be more discretion reposed in him by this sustain the department. It was published in many of the amendment than there is by the general laws on the sub-papers, and believed by a great portion of the people ject of the Post Office Department-not a particle more. that this was the fact. This statement caused great dissatisWhat is intended by the amendment? There are some faction; and if the fact had been as stated, there would routes among the number contained in the bill, which have been a general disapproval of that department. But would defray their own expense, and ought to be put in it was not true. The Postmaster General did not ask for operation: there were others, probably, which ought not. an appropriation, but the Committee on the Post Office and If the gentleman from Ohio had looked at all parts of the Post Roads called upon him to know how much it would Postmaster General's report with the same vigilance as take to put in operation a certain number of new routes, he had at one part, he would have discovered what and he answered that it would take $86,000. No sooner had become of the $230,000 in hand when the present was this done, than a clamor was spread abroad that the Postmaster General came into office. The new contracts department was insolvent. Sir, if this bill passes without under the act of 1827 had disposed of nearly the whole the proposed amendment, and is put into operation--and of it. And what more did the gentleman overlook in the it will assuredly be the duty of the department to put it in report? Why, that since that officer had taken charge operation--it will require an additional expenditure of a of the department, the postage has been increased to the sum of $80,000 at the least, and perhaps'much more; for, amount of $140,000, and increased facilities of mail trans- since the last session, when the probable expense of carryportation to a large amount have been extended to the ing it into effect had been reported, every member who people: and the department was not yet insolvent, as the wanted a new post route had gone and stuck it into the gentleman was very ready to insinuate; for there still re- bill, which, instead of one hundred and fifty new routes, mained in hand a hundred and forty odd thousand dollars, now contained three hundred. One route had been put after providing for the deficit of $82,000: but it was indis-into the bill, on which, he was told, in all probability there pensable to the proper conduct of the department, that it would not one letter pass in two weeks. No doubt, should at all times have a surplus of funds. The gentle- that, in reference to that route, the committee had been man from New York, whose candor Mr. D. said he at all differently informed, or they would not have admitted it times admitted, and particularly on the present occasion, into the bill. Looking over the bill, he found also in one had gone on and said that every man should vote or speak case two routes over one road-that is, from the same point in this House without any regard to his personal pre- to the same point: one of these, however, he believed, dilections, and should always labor to lay before his con- had been struck out. The establishment of these unnecesstituents the truth in regard to every department of the sary routes may serve to give post offices to individuals who Government. Any attempt to even insinuate that any mem- want the power to frank letters; and some man on each of ber of this House would ever attempt to deceive his con- these routes, who has a spare horse and a little boy to ride stituents by a garbled statement of the contents of public do- it, may find employment for both: but, sir, it does seem to cuments, would be a gross disrespect to this body. So that me, that the Postmaster General would understand the when any member of this House tells a part of the truth, routes infinitely better than the Post Office committee can and not the whole of it, I always suppose that it is a mis-possibly understand them. He is better acquainted with take: for no member could be suspected of taking a scrap the existing routes, and with the bearing of new routes in of a document here and a scrap there, and putting them relation to them, so as to prevent the routes from running together, for the purpose of deceiving his constituents, into one another, &c. Members of this House may underI will not believe it: if I were disposed to believe it, I stand very well the roads within their respective districts; would not—at least, I would not say so here. Now, sir, but whether the conversion of them into post roads would DEC. 20, 21, 1830.] Judge Peck.--Silk Manufacture. [H. of R. be generally beneficial, they are not so good or disinte-BUCHANAN, who stated that the Senate were waiting for rested judges. One member's constituents comes to him, the appearance of the managers, and the proposition of and tells him, "I want a mail route by my house." He is an amendment to the resolution by Mr. DWIGHT, which an old friend, and has supported the member at all times, were subsequently negatived, through evil and through good report, and the member Mr. POLK moved to amend the resolution, by inserting cannot refuse it to him. But, if the discretion was left to "this day," instead of "from time to time;" and this was the Postmaster General, as proposed by the amendment, accepted by the mover as a modification, as this would those routes which were likely to be of general use, would give the House an opportunity of discussing the question be put in operation, while others of a different description of its continual attendance, to-morrow. would not. Mr. D. said he trusted, therefore, the amend-| Mr. PETTIS objected to the attendance of the House ment would be adopted. Pass this bill, said he, and what in the Senate chamber, which he conceived to be entirely will be the result? Why, although the appropriation has unnecessary. There were two or three hundred bills been struck out of this bill, you involve the department in already on their table, which it would, he thought, an increased annual expense of a hundred and fifty or two be better to dispose of, with the utmost promptitude. As hundred thousand dollars. The Postmaster General will to not having a quorum present for the despatch of the be compelled to require an appropriation from the treasury public business, should such be the case, it would be to carry on his department. That is not calculated upon easy to try the effect of a call of the House. Upon the by the people. They will not approve it. They are question of the adoption of the resolution, he should call willing that the income of the establishment shall be ex- for the yeas and nays. pended for its support, but they are not willing that the Mr. DODDRIDGE moved to lay the resolution upon the treasury shall be called upon to furnish the means of ex-table. Negatived. tending it. And, sir, we ought to pause, and stop until The resolution of Mr. HOFFMAN was then carried; and, the funds of the department shall be in a state to allow us On motion of Mr. WICKLIFFE, the House resolved to go on adding to its expenditure, by establishing hun-itself into a Committee of the Whole, Mr. DRAYTON in dreds of new routes at a time. the chair, and repaired in procession, accompanied by [After Mr. D. closed his remarks, the House adjourned their officers, to the Senate chamber, where, having been without taking the question, either on the bill or the seated, the impeachment was proceeded in. amendment.] MONDAY, DECEMBER 20. The House assembled at twelve o'clock. JUDGE PECK. Mr. HOFFMAN begged permission to trespass for a moment upon the time of the House. It would be recollected that to-day was fixed upon for proceeding in the trial of Judge Peck, in the case of that individual's impeachment before the Senate of the United States. It was, in his opinion, advisable that the House should attend, even if only in the first instance to prosecute the case before the Senate; and, with this view, he submitted the following The Representatives, after some time, having returned to their own hall, in like order, and Mr. DRAYTON having reported, on motion of morrow. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21. SILK MANUFACTURE. Mr. SPENCER, from the Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred the letter of P. S. Duponceau, presenting to the House a flag of American silk and manufacture, made the following report: resolution: Resolved, That this House will, from time to time, re- "The Committee on Agriculture, to which was refersolve itself into a Committee of the Whole to attend in red the letter of Peter S. Duponceau, to the Speaker the chamber of the Senate on the trial of the impeach- of the House, announcing his presentation to the House ment against James H. Peck, a judge of the United States' of a silken flag, bearing the colors of the United States, district court for the district of Missouri. made of American silk, reeled from cocoons, and prepar Mr. HOFFMAN said, in support of his resolution, that ed and woven by John D'Homergue, silk manufacturer, it was not dictated by any spirit of idle curiosity to wit- the entire process in the manufacture of the same having ness the proceedings in the Senate chamber on so solemn been performed in the city of Philadelphia, report: and interesting an occasion, but from an anxiety to ascer- "That they consider this specimen of American industain the principles upon which such an important matter try, applied for the first time to the production of a fabric was to be conducted, in order that the presence of the in such general use in the United States, in the purchase House, before the highest tribunal in the Union, might give of which, in foreign countries, several millions of dollars effect to a case which would be a subject of discussion are annually drawn from this country, as highly auspi throughout the country, and which would form part of cious to the agriculture and arts of the United States; our public history. The trial of an impeachment was a and that Mr. Duponceau, for his patriotic exertions in proceeding of a grave nature; it was never instituted but for promoting the culture of silk, and in his efforts to excite the purpose of punishing those offences which the ordi- the attention of the people of the United States to that nary laws could not reach; and as such, it was, perhaps, important branch of industry, deserves the commendation better that it should be attended with all the solemnity of his country. The committee have received a commupossible; besides, such would be the interest manifested to witness its progress, that it was doubtful to him whether they should be able to obtain a quorum in that House during the time that the proceedings upon it were carrying on in the Senate. nication from Mr. Duponceau, detailing various important facts and remarks in reference to the bill entitled An act for promoting the growth and manufacture of silk,' which they have appended to this report for the information of the House; and the committee report a resolution, and recommend its adoption by the House. Mr. DWIGHT said he concurred with the gentleman from New York [Mr. HOFFMAN] in the propriety of the "Resolved, That the flag, bearing the colors of the House attending during the trial; but this resolution seemed United States, presented to this House by Peter S. Duto imply the necessity of its continual attendance. He ponceau, of Philadelphia, made of American silk, and was desirious the House should meet at eleven o'clock, prepared and woven by John D'Homergue, silk manufacin order to give the House one hour for their own business. turer in the city of Philadelphia, be accepted by this After some remarks from Messrs. WICKLIFFE and House, and that it be displayed, under the direction of |