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H. or R.]

Minister to Russia.

[FEB. 3, 1831.

ary--three days before the unavoidable departure of my diplomatic service. The mind, like the fountain, is known colleague, that I endeavored, and, as I then thought not by its effusions. Let me read from one of his speeches on without some show of success, to impress the Senate with Executive powers, as published by him.--[ Gales and Seathe important bearing of the recent event at Taganrock ton's Register, vol. 2, p. 390.]

(recent as to us) upon the new, wild, dangerous, and, as "Having thus, sir, disburdered myself of some of the I fear, fatal policy, now, for the first time, if not announc-feelings that have been excited by the gallant and fearless ed, attempted to be practised upon by this rash and feeble bearing of the gentleman from North Carolina, allow me administration. Elizabeth and Burleigh were cautious to go on and question some of his positions. and powerful. The Stuarts and the Buckinghams profli- "One of them is the durability of the constitution. With gate, feeble, and rash. It was then that I forewarned the him and with father Paul (of the constitution of Venice) Senate that the red-hot poker of some Orloff the Balafre, I say "esto perpetuas" but I do not believe it will be peror Orloff, the other favorite--(it was a regular household pctual. I am speaking now of what Burke would call appointment of Catharine la Grande -somewhat high matter. I am not speaking to the groundlings, to irregularly filled occasionally--a la Cossaque.) It was on the tyros and junior apprentices; but to the grey-headed that day that I suggested to the Senate that the poker or men of this nation, one of whom, I bless God for it, I see the bowstring of a Zuboff, or the something else of some-is now stepping forward, as he stepped forward in 1799, body else--some other Russian in off--the instrument and to save the republic. I speak of William B. Giles. I the mute nearest at hand in the Capræan styes of tyranny speak to grey heads; heads grown grey, not in the reand lust-was ready to despatch this new successor of the ceipt of custom' at the treasury, of the people's money; Tsars--of the Constantines-of the Byzantine Cæsars. not to heads grown grey in iniquity and intrigue; not to "But, sir, I, the common libeller of great and good heads grown grey in pacing Pennsylvania avenue; not men, did injustice to both these legitimates; to St. Nicho- grown grey in wearing out their shoes at levecs; not to las and to Cæsarovitch. I thought too ill of one of them, heads grown grey (to use the words of the immortal Miss and too well of the other. I thought that Commodus would | Edgeworth, the glory and the champion of her lovely sex 'show fight.' But, sir, let us not despair of the Russian. and wretched country) in ploughing the four acres. Am In spite of Montesquieu's sneer, he can feel' for a brother, I understood? There is a little court, sir, of the "Castle" at least, even although he be not flayed alive; except now of Dublin, called the four acres; and there, backwards and and then, under the autocracy of the knout. He has not, in- forwards, do the miserable attendants and satellites of deed, yet learned to make revolutions with rose-water' power walk, each waiting his turn to receive the light of that is the political philosopher's stone, which is yet in the great man's countenance; hoping the sunshine; dreadthe womb of time, to be brought forth by some modern ing the cloudy brow. Spenser has well described the Accoucher-reformer. But he shows signs of capability sweets of this life, and technically it is called ploughing the that are quite encouraging. He cannot, indeed, redeem four acres. Now, when a certain character, in one of her inhis paper, neither ean the bank of Kentucky redeem its comparable novels, Sir Ulic-I have forgotten his name, but paper; but the red-hot poker is replaced by a box of he was a McSycophant courtier, placeman, pensioner, and sweetmeats-the bowstring by a medal hung around parasite-upbraided that kind, good-hearted, wrongthe neck—the badge, not of death, but of idiocy and headed old man, King Corny, with his wretched system cowardice. Commodus is brave nowhere but in the of ploughing, the King of the Black Islands ("every arena, with kittens, and puppy dogs, and women, for his inch a king") replied, that there was one system of ploughantagonists; a veritable master Thomas Nero-see Ho-ing worse even than his: and that was ploughing the four garth's progress of cruelty. A Ukase, backed by a hob-acres. This was a settler to the McSycophant." by-horse, or a medal, and a box of sweetmeats; goody Was a mind like this, fitted, and provided, and regulated goodies, as the overgrown children say, is the full conside- for the labors of the statesman and great diplomatic minration paid, had, and received, for the surrender of the au- ister? Sir, when this gentleman was at the zenith of his tocratical crown of the largest empire in the world, and some say the most powerful-of the proud eminence of the umpire of Europe. How vastly amiable and sentimental! A Ukase now does what was formerly done with a red-hot poker, or a bowstring; a Ukase, with a most affectionate fraternal letter, a box of sweetmeats, a hobby-horse, or a nedal--as we, in our barbarous, slave-holding country, do sometimes hang a quarter of a dollar round a child's neck to keep it in good humor--all cooled, however, with the blood of a few real adherents to legitimacy--in the persons of the guards of the Empire, faithful among the faithless--to make the charm firm and good. Would the life of this singular man. gentleman from North Carolina reduce us to worse than At the commencement of Washington's administration,

this Russian barbarism?"

intellect, and in his most lucid years, Mr. Jefferson had adjudged him unqualified for such services as this ap pointment, had it been made for public purposes, called on him to perform.

Sir, if not for the public service, then he must have been appointed to preserve the machinations of the Se cretary of State, and the administration carried on by him under the Presidential name, from the hostility of this ancient adversary of all former administrations. To illus trate and confirm this important and deeply interesting fact, permit me to give a very brief sketch of the political

he was a schoolboy. To prove this fact, and also to lay This vulgar ribaldry was spoken by this man in open open the very source and fountain of his bitter hostility to Senate; the European ministers, the Russian minister, the next President, I will read a part of one of his speeches were or might have been present. The speech, such as from Gales and Seaton's Register, vol. 2, p. 399-I have read it, was published in the newspapers, and was "Now, sir, John Quincy Adams coming into power un doubtless, as a part of the political transactions of the United States, transmitted to the Emperor of Russia, by his minister then in this country. After this, who could have selected this man as an accomplished statesman, to represent this American Government at the Russian court, with any hope or intention that he should, by his diplomatic services, sustain the dignity, advance the character,

or subserve the interests of this nation?

Permit me to offer one other reason why this man could not have been appointed for any national purpose. The peculiarities of Ins mind render him incapable of any public

der these inauspicious circumstances, and with these suspicious allies and connexions, has determined to become the apostle of liberty, of universal liberty, as his father was, about the time of the formation of the constitution, known to be the apostle of monarchy. It is no secret--I was in New York when he first took his seat as Vice President. I recollect--for I was a schoolboy at the time, attending the lobby of Congress, when I ought to have been at school--I remember the manner in which my brother was spurned by the coachman of the then Vice President, for coming too near the arms blazoned on the scutchicon of

FEB. 3, 1831.]

Minister to Russia.

[II. or R.

the vice regal carriage. Perhaps I may have some of this and recommended to the consideration of Congress six old animosity rankling in my heart, coming from a race resolutions. The first was to fill up the ranks of the then who are known never to forsake a friend or forgive a foe." existing army. The second recommended the raising of From this, the waters of bitterness have flown in a ten thousand additional troops. By the third, the Presistream, so abundantly on the second and fifth Presidents dent might receive fifty thousand volunteers. The fourth of the United States. To overthrow the first of these, gave power to the President to call out the militia. Ships this man joined himself to his great political rival. of war were to be put in service by the fifth; and the

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He grew into hostility with Jefferson in a very few sixth authorized private vessels to arm in their own deyears. For he has ever been a star without beams, ex-fence. When I say Mr. Randolph opposed these resolucept of a malign and blighting influence. Suffer me to tions, I do it merely to show his hostility to the adminisillustrate this truth by reading from his speeches: tration of Mr. Madison. I will read from Niles's Register, "FEBRUARY 28th, 1806.--Mr. Clarke, of Virginia, vol. 1, p. 318, a small part of one of his speeches on this 'moved to postpone until the 3d of March, Mr. Ran- occasion, to show not only this hostility, but also to illus'dolph's resolution to amend the constitution of the Unit-trate the contempt which he has ever felt for military men 'ed States, so that all the United States' judges should and measures: 'be removed by the President, on the joint resolution of "No sooner was the report laid on the table, than the 'both Houses of Congress. In reply to a remark made vultures were flocking round their prey, the carcase of by Mr. Conrad, Mr. Randolph said, 'He (Mr. Conrad) a great military establishment-men of tainted reputabelonged to a class of men which I highly respect, fortion, of broken fortune (if they ever had any) and of the plain reason that I belong to it myself. He says battered constitutions, choice spirits, tired of the dull the time is approaching when every man engaged in pursuits of civil life,' were seeking after agencies and agricultural pursuits must be anxious to go home; and, commissions; willing to dose in gross stupidity over the 'therefore, he does not wish at present to act on the re- public fire, to light the public candle at both ends. solution I have laid on your table. True! but when men, Honorable men undoubtedly there were, ready to serve be they agricultural, mechanical, or of any other pro- their country; but what man of spirit or self-respect fession, undertake any business, it is their duty to go would accept a commission in the present army through with it at every hazard. If the situation of af- Sir, let me not be misunderstood. I am stating historic 'fairs warranted it, I should be willing to adjourn for two facts; Mr. Randolph's hostility to the then administration, or three months. But I never can agree to adjourn in not my own opinion of that war, or of his opposition to it. the present perilous state of affairs, and leave the coun- Had I been here at that time, I might have joined in that try to a blind and fortuitous destiny. I must first see opposition; for the representatives from Rhode Island both something like land, some foothold, something like cer- opposed these resolutions; nor do I recollect that the peotainty, instead of a political chaos, without form or body.ple of that State ever censured them for that opposition. Before I consent to go home, I must see something like We might go through the whole congressional record, a safe and honorable issue to our differences with foreign and we should find Mr. Randolph, at all subsequent times, Powers, and I must see, I hope, another thing-some-equally hostile to the administration of Mr. Madison. thing like an attempt to bring the constitution of this When Mr. Monroc came into the Presidency, Mr. Ranpeople back to the principles on which this administra- dolph was his advocate and supporter. In the last year tion came into power." " On Spanish affairs-

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(1824-5) of his administration, he had changed fronts. For at that time it was one of his common sayings, "Mr. “APRIL 5, 1806.--Mr. Randolph moved to amend the Monroe came ino power by universal consent, and he secret journal, by inserting in it the message of the Pre- would go out with equal, unanimity." I will read from sident of the 6th of December. In the course of his Gales and Seaton's Register, vol, 2, p. 405, what he said 'specch he said, 'I found, from a conversation with what in the Senate (1826) concerning this venerated patriot has been considered the head of the first Executive De- statesman: "We (said he) altered the constitution to partment under the Government, that France was the guard against that scoundrel-I will not read the name of great obstacle to the compromise of Spanish differences; the man; though he may have sinned, yet has he also imthat France would not permit Spain to come to any ac-measurably suffered--though not greater than him who, *commodation with us, because France wanted money, after the event, formed the union of honest men of all

' and that we must give her money. From the moment parties.' Who, sir, was the man said to have united the

I heard that declaration, all the objections I originally honest men of all parties? James Monroe. Such a coali had to the procedure were aggravated to the highest tion might be sure of John Randolph for an adversary. possible degree. I considered it a base prostration of the national character, to excite one nation by money to bully another nation out of its property; and from that moment, and to the last moment of my life, my confidence in the principles of the man entertaining those 'sentiments died, never to live again.""

Whence this hostility? Had he become a federalist, and set himself to rebuilding the fabric which, as we are told, he had overthrown? Not so; for rebuilding he had no genius, no taste. The cause of his opposition was well known in those days; nor can any one doubt that a knowledge of it has come down to the present Secretary

of State.

When Mr. Madison came into the Presidency, Mr. Randolph, if not with him, was not against him. His love of change, or of opposition, or some private political grief, did, in 1811-'12, bring out this statesman of Roanoke in bitter hostility to this third President. The last war was the great distinguishing characteristic of Mr. Mad son's administration. On the 20th of November, 1811, the Committee of Foreign Relations reported on that subject, |

Was Mr. Van Buren ignorant of all these traits in the character of this man? He knew them well. He knew more; he was fully aware that no person on earth could be more hostile to military men than this same Mr. John Randolph. In confirmation of this, I will read an extract from one of his speeches:

"I own a natural jealousy of military men--it grows out of love of country-it is strengthened and kept alive by the multitude of examples in history, ancient and modern, of the fall of empires and the revolution of States; the misery and wretchedness brought upon the human race by the ambition and pride of military men." Vide speech against Gen. Wilkinson.

"I am willing to give to every man a just and reasonable reward for his public services, both in pay and gratitude; but the military character is so rarely satisfied with any thing less than direct worship, that I am of opinion--I always was of the opinion, we could not be too watchful of the aspiring ambition of a military commander." Same speech.

No man in the nation was more adverse to General

H. OF R.]

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Jackson's election to the Presidency than Mr. Randolph bauble, a mere child's whistle; and the people will and was in 1822. In that year, he said, in his letter to the peo- must pay dearly for this toy of their Secretary. But let ple of Charlotte--"The election of General Jackson to us be rid of it, and of this State mission," of its memory; the Presidency is not to be dreaded, as it can in no event if possible, of its deep and mortifying disgrace. possibly occur: the people of the United States have If this course be taken, our relations with Russia may not yet become so corrupted as to choose a man of mili-be redeemed, restored, and placed upon a safe and honortary talents to govern the national councils, in opposi-able footing. If no one else will do it, I will move to go tion to the splendid talents of Mr. Crawford, or instead into Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, of any other good man in the country." See letter to for the sole purpose of moving an appropriation of nine the people of Charlotte, 1822. thousand dollars for an outfit, and nine thousand dollars The advancement of Mr. Adams to the last Presidency for a first year's salary, to enable the President to send awakened all his animosity against that gentleman and his out to Russia an efficient mission, and one in all respects venerated father. He therefore attached himself to the different from this of the Secretary. For never, sir, since party of General Jackson, and especially to that gentle-the revolution, has there been a time when the interests man; not from esteem, respect, or friendship--not from of the United States more urgently required a fair, honorhis qualities as a man, a hero, or a statesman--but as the able, and dignified representation in the courts of Europe. only instrument by which he could exclude Mr. Adams

from a second Presidential term.

"Party, like calamity, brings men into company with

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4.

strange bedfellows." Mr. Randolph soon found himself Mr. TUCKER, of South Carolina, asked and obtained unpleasantly lodged; and before the middle of February, leave to lay on the table an amendment to the bill yester 1829, he said emphatically, "I do not attend the inaugu-day reported by the Committee on Manufactures, to reration; mark that, sir!" He left the city before that event; peal a part of the act to reduce the duty on salt. but not until, as rumor, the untiring herald of distinguish- If adopted, the bill will read as follows: ed personages, announced that he had delivered his ominous prediction. What was it? "Never, sir, never will the American purple again fall on the shoulders of a gentleman."

I do not pretend to say that the Secretary regarded this prediction as literally excluding him from the succession; but could he quietly manage his "State affairs" while such a man was at Roanoke, or in Virginia, or even in the United States? Sooner, sir, would the fox creep into the farm yard in the daytime, or curl himself down to sleep in his lair while he snuffed the huntsman, or heard the hounds in the southwest breeze of the morning. Did he not quiver at the mere name of this Warwick, this kingkiller, and king-maker; this John Randolph, who had set up Presidents, as boys set up nine-pins, to knock them down again? Such a man, the Secretary knew, could not be, for hic never had been, quiet under any administration. He had not been satisfied with the administration of Jefferson, of Madison, of Monroe; could he be satisfied with this God only knows whose administration it is.

"Be it enacted, &c. That all acts and clauses of acts imposing a duty on salt, be, and the same are hereby, repealed."

DUTY ON SALT.

The House then resumed the consideration of the bill yesterday reported by the Committee on Manufactures, to increase the present duty on salt imported; and the ques tion being on the rejection of the bill-

Mr. MAXWELL, of Virginia, said, that having presented the memorial of the salt manufacturers of Virginia, out of which the bill had arisen, it would, therefore, not be considered unbecoming in him to detain the House & few moments with some remarks in relation to the subject now under consideration. It was not expected by me, said he, at the time that the memorial was presented, that any legislation would arise out of it, further than that many useful facts would be presented thereby to the Committee on Manufactures, which, united with their knowledge in relation to this subject, would enable them to Sir, the Secretary has waylaid, entrapped, caught, ex-present to this House, and this nation, many facts which ported, exiled, and sent this man to plough the four it is important should be known, in relation to the rise, acres, at a distance of four thousand miles from his own progress, and present situation of the salt manufacturer of patrimonial fields and trees. The great object of Mr. the United States. Nor is it my wish now, said Mr. M., Van Buren has been to get him out of his way--to send that the duty upon salt shall be either augmented or di him abroad. As a minister, he knew he could do nothing minished during the present session, or that any disposi --he expected--he intended he should do nothing--de-tion of the bill shall be made, other than that it be laid serve nothing-receive nothing, but the ridicule of all upon the table, and printed, together with the report of other nations, the pity of his own, and the contempt of the committee. I have looked, said Mr. M., into thatrethe Secretary himself and his partisans. port, and am prepared to say that it contains useful infor

This heartless politician has, to render this tremendous mation in relation to the manufacture of the indispensable adversary powerless at home, lured him from his indepen-article of salt--and which it appears to me that those who dence, the boast and glory of his manhood, to an old age think that the duty should be entirely repealed, ought to of foreign surveillance; to come home soiled and spat-be in possession. I can see no well founded objection to tered to the very eyes in treasury dirt; to shrink into re- laying the bill on the table, and printing the report. I tirement and insignificance; and be like Piso, returned trust that the bill will not be rejected. It will certainly from the inglorious administration of his Macedonian pro- not be contended that it is best in future to legislate in the vince. Shall we, sir, in aid of these schemes of the Secre- dark upon a matter of so much interest to the nation. We tary, and to put him in a condition of quiet machination have had, said Mr. M., a bill laid upon our tables from a against the laws, the constitution, and the great interests committee of the Senate, to repeal the duty on salt entirely: of this nation, appropriate this money, and thereby legal- and one from the Committee on Manufactures of the ize and sustain this measure? I trust in God we shall not. House of Representatives, to place the duty at fifteen Pay the man, if you please--for going out, for coming cents per bushel: this furnishes evidence that each mem home-send out a ship of war for him; it will add, per- ber ought to examine the subject deliberately, before he haps, less than thirty thousand dollars to the expenditure. acts upon a matter of so much importance. Some genLet him have his nine thousand dollars outfit--the Presi-tlemen seem not to be disposed to search for inforination dent, it has been said, advanced it to him from his private upon this subject, or into the propriety or the improprie purse--restore it to him; do not suffer ourselves to be in ty of any duty, for the protection of the domestic manudebt to the Chief Magistrate of the nation. It is all a facturer of salt, but denounce all duty, by crying aloud

FEB. 4, 1831.]

Duty on Salt.

[H. OF R.

that it is a war tax. This only goes to prove that the this country independent of foreign nations, and to ascercourse which I now advocate, should be adopted; that tain what measure of duty should be laid in subsequent icsuch gentlemen may obtain some information in relation gislation upon this subject. I consider it important to have to that matter, for they most certainly have not taken the the facts which I know, from a view of the report, it controuble to examine into the history of the salt duty of the tains. I cannot subscribe to the doctrine, that because an United States. The duty upon salt did not take its rise art cle is indispensable, and enters into the daily consump during the last war, but is coeval with the legislation of tion of every family, that for this reason the Government this Government. In 1789, a duty of six cents on each should give no encouragement to the American enterprise bushel was laid on foreign salt; this duty being considered that attempts to increase the article at home. It appears insufficient to protect the domestic manufacturer, in 1790 to me, the more essentially necessary an article is to the the duty was augmented to twelve cents on each bushel: people, the more care should be taken that a supply of in 1797, the duty was augmented to twenty cents upon the such article should always be had without being dependbushel of foreign salt, and has continued uniformly from ent upon foreign nations. Let us, said Mr. M., have the the year 1790 until the beginning of the last month, ex- report of the committee printed, that we may have inforcepting the space of seven years, during which time no mation upon this matter, and that any future legislation duty was collected upon foreign salt. I would suggest upon it may be done advisedly. to those that are disposed to give no encouragement to Mr. CHILTON, of Kentucky, without renewing his op the domestic manufacturer, for the benefit of the people, position of yesterday to the bill, (which opposition producto look into the price which the people had to pay for ed the question of rejection,) and with a view to termisalt during the period in which no duty was collected; 1 nate a debate which must be useless, and with an underthink that they will find, from the accounts of the sales c-standing that the subject should not be called up again at tually made, that people paid a higher price for their salt the present session of Congress, moved to lay the bill and during these seven years, than during any other seven report upon the table; but withdrew the motion at the reyears since the commencement of the Government until quest of

the present time. In the year 1813, an act passed fixing Mr. MCCREERY, of Pennsylvania, who briefly stated the duty upon foreign salt at twenty cents, which expired the reasons why, though he had been uniformly opposed under a limitation contained within itself. The tax, laid to the reduction of the duty upon salt, he should vote to by this act, may be called a war tax. But, in 1816, an act get rid of the bill, either by rejection or by laying it upon passed continuing the duty at twenty cents. Was the duty the table. He believed that the discussion of the bill laid upon foreign salt in 1789, 1790, 1797, and 1816, war would be a useless consumption of time, because there taxes? It may be said that the tax of 1816 was to enable was no probability of arriving at a decision in its favor at the Government to discharge the public debt that accrued the present session. There remained now but about in consequence of the war; that, in addition to the encou-twenty-three business days of the session, and a vast numragement of the domestic manufacturer of the article, I ber of bills (some of them important) yet remain to be actbelieve, was the cause of the act of 1816. Those who sup-ed upon.

pose that the duty upon salt is a war tax, will certainly Mr. THOMPSON, of Georgia, objected to any course, agree to vote against the motion to reject the bill, with a with regard to this bill, which should leave it open as a view that it may be laid upon the table, and the report subject for consideration. The House had been assured printed, in order that they may obtain more correct infor- by the gentleman from Virginia, as it had been yesterday mation in relation to the salt duty. All I wish, said Mr. assured by the chairman of the Committee on Manufactures, M., is information upon this interesting and very exciting that he did not wish any legislation upon the subject at the subject. The amount of capital vested in the manufac- present session. Why, then, Mr. T. asked, was the subture of salt in the United States, is not less than seven mil-ject introduced here at all? For what purpose? It is cerkons of dollars, which, together with the difficulty expe- tainly not to waste the small remnant of time yet hanging rienced by the people of this country during the last war, on our hands, said he, when all sides of the House seem in obtaining the article, ought to admonish every one of disposed to husband it. It must be to give a moral effect the importance of having full information upon the sub- to the proposition in the bill; to have the report printed ject, and of the propriety of legislating cautiously, lest the and spread over the country-and for what purpose? manufacturer of American salt be injured, and, in case of Why, sir, to force upon us, if they can, an increase of this war with a foreign nation, the same consequences result duty. He regretted to hear of the motion to lay the bill that have heretofore taken place. on the table; because an agreement to a proposition of

Some gentlemen think information upon this subject is that sort would give something of character to the geneunnecessary, because all encouragement to American in-ral proposition of the Committee on Manufactures. In dustry and domestic manufactures is inexpedient and the sincerity of his heart, he said, he wished this proposiunconstitutional. The early history of the legislation of ticn to pass off without being the cause of an increase of this country shows a different view of this matter. The the present excitement in the Southern country. If genopinion of General Washington in 1796--the opinion of tlemen are disposed to force the measure upon us, howMr. Jefferson in 1808 and 1816--the opinion of Mr. Ma- ever, said Mr. T., let them do it at once-bring up the dison in 1809 and 1815--the opinion of Mr. Monroe in question, and decide upon it, If the Committee on Manu1821 and 1823-and the opinion of the present Chief Ma- factures do not think proper to withdraw the proposition, gistrate, in his last message, show that to encourage the let the bill go on without delay to a final decision. I obdomestic manufacturer of such articles as are essential to ject to the second reading.

the independence and prosperity of the country, and cs- Mr. HAYNES, of Georgia, said, if he believed that the pecially those which are indispensable in time of war, is present discussion of this bill would lead to a further reboth expedient and constitutional. Can any be more es-duction of the duty on salt, he should not object to it: but, sential in peace or war than salt? Is it not as necessary believing that the consideration of the bill now would lead that the soldier should have his salt and rations, as a coat to nothing but a further consumption of time in debate," and musket? I have no disposition to go into an argument he moved the previous question. upon the question whether the duty upon salt should be augmented or diminished. I have only to say, that I believe a reasonable degree of encouragement should be given the manufacturers of salt by the Government, to enable them to stand against foreign competition, to render VOL. VII.-39

The motion for the previous question was not seconded by a majority, the yeas being 78, the nays 90. Mr. STERIGERE, of Pennsylvania, then moved to lay the bill on the table.

The motion was declared not to be now in order, the

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question of rejection having been renewed by Mr. THOмPSox's objection to the second reading of the bill.

[FEB. 4, 1831.

Mr. WILDE, of Georgia, made a few observations against the postponement. Whatever was the disposition of this House, he thought it better that it should do at once what it is disposed to do ultimately.

Mr. BLAIR, of South Carolina, said he hoped the bili reported by the Committee on Manufactures for repealing the act passed at the last session, reducing the duty on Mr. MALLARY rose to correct an impression on the salt, would neither be laid on the table, nor favorably en-mind of the gentleman from Georgia, altogether erroneous. tertained by the House in any shape whatever. The There was no intention, on the part of the Committee on great excitement of the South, and particularly of that Manufactures, to repeal the law of last session. He enState which he had the honor, in part, to represent, was tered into a statement of the views of that committee, to well known to Congress and to the American people. The show the motives that had actuated them in reporting the popular indignation in South Carolina against what he and present bill, and left it to the House to take such order the people of that State considered the iniquitous and un- on the subject as they might deem proper. constitutional legislation of Congress, (especially in rela- Mr. NUCKOLLS said: It will be recollected, by those tion to the tariff,) was almost universal; and it was with members of the House with whom I have had the honor difficulty they had been restrained from adopting mea- of serving on this floor for the last four years, that I have sures for their own relief, and for the redress of their own rarely trespassed on their patience, nor would I do so wrongs--much pains had to be taken to defeat the call of now, but for the strong feeling and deep interest which a convention. To what results such measures would have my constituents, in common with myself, have on this led, he would not now inquire, even if it were possible to subject. And here, sir, permit me to remark, that I difascertain them; they were at least alarming, and the con- fer, widely differ, from my political friends of the South, templation of them disagreeable. And, after what had in the course they pursue in relation to this bill. They been done here at the close of the last session, he had seem inclined to avoid discussion, by rejecting this bill on thought the call of a convention, or any action whatever, its second reading-before it has undergone that consideron the part of South Carolina, unnecessary, premature, ation its importance demands, and even before the acand hazardous. He had, therefore, discouraged every companying report has been printed for our examination. thing of this kind. He had opposed the call of a conven- Sir, this is too nearly allied to the practice which has tion, and he believed his colleagues would bear him out in sprung up in this hall within the last three years, to meet the assertion, that he had contributed very much to the my approbation. What is that practice? Why, sir, to defeat of that measure. He claimed no merit for this; refuse even the courtesy of a consideration to many of and believed he would not subject himself to any imputa- the most interesting topics introduced here by the retion of vanity in making the declaration, because, if the presentatives of the people. I had been taught (before present proposition succeeded, he should regret the ad- my acquaintance with it) that this was a deliberative asvice he had given to his constituents during the last sum-sembly, organized by the people, to hear, consider, dismer and fall. He had told the people at home that things cuss, and decide upon all questions affecting their intehere were rapidly changing for the better. Among many rests, or involving their liberty. But, sir, is this true? Are other evidences of this change, he had adverted, both we thus mindful of the rights of the people, and of the verbally, and in the newspapers, to the reduction of the respect due to those whom they send here? It is a notoduty on salt. But if, instead of advancing still further to rious fact, that there is an organized majority in this House, correct the evils of which the South complains-if, instead whose settled practice it is to scout from these walls every of going on with the reformation of the tariff system, we proposition looking to a modification of the restrictive recede, and undo the little we have already done, he system; thereby virtually refusing, to a large portion of should be ashamed to meet his constituents. He should, the American people, the constitutional right of exposing with pain and contrition, have to acknowledge that, with to public view the grievances under which they labor. the best intentions, he had given them, perhaps, wrong Sir, I have uniformly opposed every thing of this sort as advice; that he had been deceived himself; and had, in-being proscriptive in principle, disrespectful to the Amenocently, held out to them delusive hopes and fallacious rican people, and unbecoming the dignity of this House. expectations. He, however, was not disposed to argue I am not afraid to submit any question to their candid and the matter at this time. He took it for granted the House impartial judgment, when it shall have been fully and would reject this bill by an overwhelming majority. He, deliberately set before them by the debates in this assemtherefore, hoped argument against it was unnecessary. bly, and am therefore none the less opposed to refusing Besides, his feelings, in relation to this subject, were too this bill a second reading, because I am against its princi strong to authorize him to run the hazard (at this moment) ples and its objects. I am for giving every question a fair of saying what might be regarded as indecorous. Can-hearing, whether for or against me.

dor, however, required, and an imperative duty to his Mr. Speaker, the part I have borne among the people constituents, to himself, and to the House, enjoined it I represent, and those of the entire State from which I upon him to declare that, if this proposition should suc- come, has been similar to that of my colleague, [Mr. ceed, the time for argument will have passed away. BLAIR,] who last addressed us. Like him, I sought to alMr. HUNTINGTON, of Connecticut, said that the only lay the fervid excitement which prevailed on my return wish of the Committee on Manufactures, he believed, was among them. They had seen and felt, with the sensibility that this subject should be placed in a situation to be ex- of enlightened freemen, that their rights were invaded by amined with a view to future consideration. To do this, unjust taxation, and themselves insulted by your refusal the committee had taken no extraordinary course, but had to hear their representatives. Sir, I felt in my own bopresented a report stating their views of it, accompanied som that there was ample provocation for all this. But, by a bill. If, without examining either the memorial of like themselves, I was devoted to the Union, and its harthe manufacturers, or the report of the committee, the monious preservation. I exhorted to moderation, forHouse should decide to reject the bill, it would certainly bearance, and a reliance on the justice of their Northern be an unusual proceeding, to say the least of it. He and Western brethren. I alluded to the modifications of hoped, therefore, that the motion for rejection would not the tariff at the close of the last session, as affording eviprevail. With a view to enable the House to look into dence of that justice. But, sir, respect for their intellithis memorial from a most respectable class of men large-gence, and my own self-respect, would not permit me to ly engaged in the manufacture of salt, and to peruse the disguise the fact, that all those modifications, except that report, he moved to postpone the further consideration of of the salt duty, were but adding to the effective strength the bill to this day two weeks. and fixed character of the system of which they complain

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