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H. of R.]

President's Message.

[DEC. 8, 9, 10, 1829.

was one hundred and thirty-five; which, being a majority table, to give the Speaker a better opportunity of becomof the whole number, MATTHEW ST. CLAIR CLARKE was ing acquainted with the new members, &c. elected Clerk of the House of Representatives, and was forthwith sworn into office.

On motion of Mr. MILLER, of Pennsylvania, it was resolved, nem. con. that Joux OSWALD DUNN be appointed Sergeant-at-Arms to the House.

On motion of Mr. MILLER, the House then proceeded to the election of a doorkeeper. The late venerable (though now infirm) doorkeeper, Capt. BENJAMIN BURCH, was nominated, in a very appropriate manner, by Mr. TUCKER, of South Carolina. Several other persons were nominated by different members. The ballots having been counted by tellers named by the Speaker, Mr. TUCKER reported that Mr. Burch had received one hundred and thirty-six votes, (a large majority of the whole number,) and was consequently chosen.

On motion, it was then resolved, nem. con. that OVERTON CARR be appointed Assistant Doorkeeper to this House. The usual message having been interchanged with the Senate, it was resolved that a committee be appointed on the part of this House, to join such committee as have been, or may be, appointed on the part of the Senate, to wait upon the President of the United States, and inform him that quorums of the two Houses have assembled, and that Congress are ready to receive any communications he may be pleased to make.

Mr. CAMBRELENG suggested to Mr. CoNDICT the expediency of withdrawing his motion for the present, and renewing it to-morrow or another day.

Mr. CONDICT said, the practice heretofore had been to adopt a similar order before the message was considered; and, as the committees were not announced until the reading of the Journal on the day following the adoption of the order, a whole day was thus given to the Speaker for the selection of the committees.

The SPEAKER said, that it had been the practice, at the opening of a new Congress, to allow the Speaker three or four days for the selection of the committees. Mr. BUCHANAN said, he should not have moved to postpone the motion for now appointing them, if he had not known that to be the fact.

Mr. MALLARY said, that, should the order be now made, it would, he presumed, not necessarily follow that the committees should be announced to-morrow.

The SPEAKER said, that, if the order was now made, the committees must be announced to-morrow.

Mr. BUCHANAN said, if the pending motion was laid upon the table until to-morrow, and should then be adopted, the House might then, following precedent, adjourn over to Monday, and thus afford the Speaker the requisite time of three or four days for a selection of the com

A motion having been made for the usual order for fur-mittees. nishing members with newspapers-

Mr. WICKLIFFE, of Kentucky, objected to it. He said, that the subject of furnishing, at the public expense, papers for the private convenience of the members of this House, was referred to a committee last session, and that that committee had, in its report, recommended a discon

tinuance of the practice. His mind, he said, had under gone no change on this subject. He was of opinion that the application of the public means to this object was not justifiable. But, in order to test the question, he moved to lay the resolution on the table.

This motion was negatived; and the resolution for continuing the usage was agreed to without a division.

TUESDAY, DEC. 8, 1829.

Mr. DRAYTON, from the committee appointed on the part of this House, to join the committee appointed on the part of the Senate, to wait on the President of the United States, &c. reported that the committee had waited on the President accordingly, and that the President answered that he would make a communication to Congress this day. The message of the President of the United States was soon after received, by the hands of A. J. DONELSON, Esq. his Private Secretary, and read. [See Appendix.] Whereupon, ten thousand copies thereof were ordered to be printed for the use of this House.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 9, 1829.

Mr. CONDICT, of New Jersey, observing that it seemed proper, before proceeding to distribute among committees the several subjects of the President's message, that the standing committees of the House should be appointed, therefore moved the following order:

Mr. CONDICT said he had no objection to this course. The motion of Mr. CONDICT was then ordered to lie upon the table.

THURSDAY, DEC. 10, 1829.

for the appointment of the standing committees; which Mr. CONDICT called up his motion, made yesterday, was agreed to by the House.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

The House then went into Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union; when the several branches of the President's message were referred to the different standing and select committees.

The several resolutions for the reference of the message were offered by Mr. POLK. On one of them, the fourth, which was in the following words:

"Resolved, That so much of the said message as relates to the modification of the existing tariff of duties on goods imported into the United States, be referred to the Committee on Manufactures"—

A debate occurred.

Mr. J. W. TAYLOR said, he considered the general arrangement of the business as judicious; and the gentleman from Tennessee had so prepared his resolutions, as to present the various points in the most clear and perspicuous manner. He wished to have, however, some limitations in this resolution which refers to the modification of the tariff. If the gentleman from Tennessee would refer to the President's message, he would find that it contains suggestions looking to proposed modifications of the tariff. One modification is to be found in the ninth page, and begins thus: "The general rule to be applied in graduating the duties upon articles of foreign growth or manufacture, is that which will place our own on a fair competition with "Ordered, That the standing committees be now ap- those of other countries," &c. presenting the great prinpointed, pursuant to the rules and orders of the House." ciple in regard to the protection of American manufacMr. BUCHANAN said that there was, he believed, an tures. The other class, referred to in the 10th page, unusual number of new members in the present House of commences thus: "Looking forward to the period, not Representatives; and it was desirable, certainly, that the far distant, when a sinking fund will no longer be reSpeaker, who was to appoint these committees, should quired," and going on to state, that, in reference to tea and have time and opportunity for inquiry before he appointed coffee, a reduction of the existing duties will be felt as It was not probable, he said, that any legislative a common benefit." business would be done in the course of the present week, His object was to move an amendment to this resoluand for that reason he moved that the motion lie upon the tion, which would have the effect of referring that part

them.

66

DEC. 10, 1829.]

tion of manufactures."

The question being on the amendment,

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which relates to such modification as looks to the protec-cussed. What he proposed was, to give a respectful retion of our own manufactures, to the Committee on Manu-ference to the appropriate committees of all the matters factures, while it refers so much as pertains to the modifi- which the Chief Magistrate had submitted to the considecation contemplated by the reduction of the duties on tea ration of the House. It was not now for him to oppose, and coffee, which is exclusively a revenue arrangement, to vindicate, cr approve of those matters. That was a to the Committee of Ways and Means. Only so far as the subject for discussion hereafter, and “sufficient for the duties are regulated with a view to the protection of our day is the evil thereof." Let that matter, therefore, rest. manufactures is it properly an object of reference to the He wished the subject to go to that committee, where it Committee on Manufactures. He would therefore move would receive the fullest consideration. When he was to amend the resolution by inserting, after the words up before, he read a paragraph from the message, which, United States," the words "with a view to the protec-after stating that the general rule was to "place our own [manufactures] in fair competition with those of other countries," went on to state that "the inducements to advance Mr. POLK said, that, as the resolution had been adopted even a step beyond this point are controlling in regard to in committee, it was no longer under his control. It was those articles which are of primary necessity in time of suggested, however, by a gentleman near him, that the war." The President had thus expressed his opinion on amendment, with a modification, might be proper. The his point in explicit terms. If there be a single article modification which he suggested was, to add the words manufactured in the United States, which is of primary except that part which refers to the reduction of the du- importance in time of war, the President, in regard to that Ges on tea and coffee, which is referred to the Committee article, recommends a protecting duty. Here, then, apof Ways and Means." pears the propriety of considering what class of articles is here alluded to, and what are embraced in the principle, and these are fit subjects of consideration for the Committee on Manufactures. But, in regard to the whole subject, it appears that if we take what is said in the last paragraph in the ninth page, we shall find there is a distinct recommendation to carry the principle further. That paragraph reads thus: "The agricultural interest of our country is so essentially connected with every other, and Mr. POLK stated that his only object was to render the so superior in importance to them all, that it is scarcely nelanguage of the resolution more specific than it was before cessary to invite to it your particular attention. It is he offered this amendment. His object was to give to the principally as manufactures and commerce tend to inCommittee of Ways and Means all the duties which legiti-crease the value of agricultural productions, and to exmately belong to it, and to refer to it all those topics in the tend their application to the wants and comforts of society, message which are within its sphere. It was suggested to that they deserve the fostering care of the Government." him that there might arise a conflict between the Commit- How are these to receive the fostering care of the Gotee of Ways and Means and the Committee on Manufac-vernment, unless by the protecting duties referred to in tures, as to which was in possession of the specific recom- the amendment he had offered, with a view to the considemendation contained in the message; and, in consequence ration of the committee? It was far from his intention at of that suggestion, he had proposed his modification. It this time to invite discussion. He had supposed that, as could do no harm; if it were productive of no other good, there were two classes of modifications, the one relating it would indicate the will of the House as to the commit- to manufactures, and the other to revenue, it was proper, tee to which the subject should be referred. The Com- as the resolution of the gentleman from Tennessee would mittee of Ways and Means has all the subjects relating to carry the whole subject to the Committee on Manufacthe revenue before it; and the modification he had suggested tures, to limit the reference to those points which the would have the effect of making this reference more clear. gentleman, doubtless, intended to refer to that committee. Mr. EVERETT suggested that either the original reso-To carry that into execution, and to divide the matter aclution of the gentleman from Tennessee, or the amend-cording to the arrangement in the message, he had made ment of the gentleman from New York, might produce his present motion.

Mr. TAYLOR reminded the gentleman from Tennessee that he had already referred every thing relating to the revenue to the Committee of Ways and Means, and that reference embraced the object of his present motion. This is a subject of revenue, and it is by no means necessary to go into the particular specifications as to the duties on tea, coffee, &c. That matter is of necessity before the committee, unless it shall be particularly excluded.

the effect, but the amendment now suggested by the gen- Mr. DAVIS, of South Carolina, suggested an alteration tleman from Tennessee, following the amendment of the in the phraseology, so as to make it read, that so much gentleman from New York, would lead to the inference as relates to manufactures be referred to the Committee that the duties on tea and coffee were laid "with a view on Manufactures; and that so much as relates to revenue to the protection of manufactures." be referred to the Committee of Ways and Means.

rect one.

Mr. POLK then withdrew his proposition to amend. Mr. MARTIN said, that his object was not to provoke, Mr. McDUFFIE then stated that he disliked the phrase-but to allay discussion, when he offered his amendment. ology of the amendment. It seemed to be framed under It appeared, however, that the only difference between the impression that the modifications recommended by the the gentleman from New York and the gentleman from message looked exclusively to the benefit of the manufac- Tennessee, and himself, was about words. The question turers. He hoped that this impression was not the cor-was simply, how much should be referred to these distinct committees? The only fear of the gentleman from New Mr. MARTIN, of South Carolina, suggested to the gen-York seemed to be, that the Committee on Manufactures tleman from New York the propriety of withdrawing his might decide on matters which did not come properly proposition, and accepting an amendment to the following within its sphere. He thought the committee might be effect: "And that so much as relates to a reduction of duties on those articles of import which cannot come in competition with our manufactures, be referred to the Committee of Ways and Means."

fairly left to determine its own sphere of duties. It appeared to him to be plain and intelligible The idea is that the tariff, so far as it concerns our manufactures, is a subject appropriate for the action of the Committee on ManuMr. TAYLOR said he should be happy to give this factures; and that the subject, as it relates to revenue, is gratification to the gentleman if he could. But it must for the action of another committee. To meet this view, be evident to all that the message does recommend the he had submitted his proposition to the House; and he protection of manufactures. Whether the recommenda- would take occasion to move it, should the amendment of tion is judicious or not, is not now the question to be dis- the gentleman from New York be rejected; so that not

VOL. VI.-60

H. of R.]

Refuse Lands in Tennessee.--Western Armory.

only tea and coffee, concerning which the gentleman from New York seemed to feel the deepest anxiety, but all articles on which high duties are laid for the purpose of revenue, should be referred to the Committee of Ways and Means. That was his object.

DEC. 14, 15, 1829.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1829. REFUSE LANDS IN TENNESSEE, Mr. CROCKETT moved the following resolution, viz. Resolved, That a select committee be appointed, with instructions to inquire as to the most equitable and advantageous mode of disposing of the refuse lands lying south and west of the Congressional reservation line in the State of Tennessee.

This resolution being read,

Mr. POLK agreed that this discussion, which had so unexpectedly arisen, was merely a discussion about words. He could assure the House that his only object was to refer that part of the message which relates to manufac.. tures to the appropriate committee. It was now the time to determine what the duties of the Committee of Ways lution, by striking out so much as proposes a select comMr. POLK, of Tennessee, moved to amend the reso and Means are. Whatever concerns the revenue of the He had Union belongs appropriately to that committee. thought, when he made his proposition, that tea and coffee required a separate specification. In this he had been take the same course now as it had done heretofore. The Mr. CROCKETT said, that he wished this subject to corrected by the Chair, who regarded these as subjects resolution referred [he said] to a few scraps of land lying to be considered within the cognizance of that committee

mittee, and moving to refer the subject of the resolution to the Committee on the Public Lands.

as a matter of course. If so, the amendment offered by along in his district, which it was high time should be disthe gentleman from South Carolina would be as unneces-before Congress, and had always heretofore been referred posed of. The subject had been already several times sary as that which he himself had withdrawn, which was similar in its import. He had supposed that the resoluto a select committee; and all that he asked was, that it tion embraced all which the gentleman from New York should take the same course now as it had done heretofore. should require. He thought it premature to raise discus-before the Committee on the Public Lands in the shape of a Mr. POLK said, that a part of this subject was always sions merely as to forms of words, the effect of which memorial from the Legislature of Tennessee. He thought, might be to give an interpretation to the message which might not be warranted, on partial views, and without that therefore, that a reference of this resolution to that com mittee was expedient, that all parts of the subject shoukł deliberate examination which ought to be taken. be placed before the same committee.

Mr. H. R. STORRS asked if it would be in order to move to strike out the words "modification of the tariff," and substitute "domestic manufactures?"

The SPEAKER decided that the motion would not be in order, until the question should be determined on the amendment of the gentleman from New York.

late session of Congress, a proposition had been made for Mr. STERIGERE, of Pennsylvania, said, that, at the distributing the vacant public lands, or the proceeds of them, among the several States. This proposition was so connected with the subject of this resolution, that, as he expected it would be renewed at this session, he moved that the pending resolution lie upon the table for the preThe motion to lay the resolution on the table was negatived.

sent.

Mr. STORRS said, that, on reading the message, it did not occur to him that that part which relates to tea and coffee had any reference to the question of manufactures. The question intended to be submitted in the message is, whether the duties on tea and coffee may not be reduced when the state of the revenue will no longer require he was understood to say that the Legislature of TennesMr. CROCKETT made some further remarks, in which these duties. He thought this had no reference whatever to the subject of manufactures. His object was to strike however that might be, he said his colleague [Mr. POLK] see was disposed to withdraw its former memorial out the words "the modification of the tariff," and to in-had heretofore had this matter in his charge as head of a sert, in lieu thereof, the words "domestic manufactures." This would be plain language, not to be misunderstood. The motion of Mr. TAYLOR to amend the resolution was then decided in the negative.

Mr. STORRS then made his motion to strike out the words "the modification of the tariff," and to insert the words "domestic manufactures."

But,

select committee; and, [said Mr. C.] as I live among the have something to do myself with the disposition of the people who are interested in these lands, I want now to subject.

The motion of Mr. POLK to amend Mr. CROCKETT'S resolve was then negatived, 92 to 65; and Mr. C.'s resolution was agreed to.

WESTERN ARMORY.

Mr. McDUFFIE said it was originally luis object to avoid the inference that the President intended either to recommend any increase, or only a diminution of duties. Mr. DESHA moved the following resolution, viz. He thought the amendment seemed to imply that there| Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be inwas nothing in the message on the subject of the modifi-structed to inquire into the expediency of establishing an cation of the tariff, which did not look to the increase of armory at some suitable point upon the Western waters. dutics. He thought it might as reasonably be presumed Mr. CHILTON, of Kentucky, proposed to amend the to look to the reduction of the duties. The language of resolution, by adding to it "or at the falls of————, io the message is equally applicable to reduction as to in- the State of Kentucky," and added some observations to crease of duties. He preferred the amendment of the show the strong claims of this location for the proposed gentleman from New York, which had been just nega-armory. tived. His object was to convey the idea that the modification of all duties, whether to increase or diminish them, should be referred to the Committee on Manufactures. The question was then taken on the amendment of Mr. STORRS, and decided in the affirmative.

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Mr. VANCE, of Ohio, thought that, considering the variety of conflicting claims for this object, the resolution had better be general in its terms, and refer the whole subject of the establishment of an armory on the Western waters to the same committee; that all the sites in the Western country might be considered together.

The resolution was then modified, with the consent of the mover, so as to propose a general inquiry into the expediency of establishing an armory on the waters of the Western States.

Mr. CARSON, of North Carolina, remarking that no part of the country possessed more valuable water power than the western part of the State of North Carolina, proposed

DEC. 16, 1829.]

Annual Treasury Report.--Committee on Education.

[H. of R.

to amend the resolution by adding "or on the Western nomy recommended in the report of the Committee of Rewaters of the State of North Carolina."

trenchment at the session before the last; and he could not conceal his surprise that gentlemen who were, at the last session, so anxious to reduce the amount of expenditure, especially on objects of this nature, to which they seemed to have directed much of their attention, should row show such a disposition to swell it instead of reducing it.

Mr. JOHNSON, of Kentucky, said, he regretted this motion on the part of his friend from North Carolina, as calculated to produce a collision between the West and the South as to the location of an armory. He was perfectly willing to vote for an independent proposition to inquire into the expediency of the erection of an armory in the South, but he was unwilling to connect it with a Mr. BUCHANAN said, he was happy to find that the proposition for an armory in the West. For the last fif gentleman from Ohio was now so decided an advocate for teen years it had been in vain attempted to procure the retrenchment; not knowing, however, that he had ever establishment of a National Armory on the Western wa- found him otherwise. He did not know but, in pursuit of ters, notwithstanding the unanimous opinion of the West, this object, he and the gentleman from Ohio would be concurred in by the executive officers of the Government, found going hand in hand. But this [Mr. B. said] was that a Western armory was necessary, not to gratify indi- not the point at which they ought to begin to retrench. viduals interested in its location, but for the defence of Retrenchment ought not to begin with communication of the country, and to prevent prodigal expenditure of the information of this sort to the people, who are more public moneys in transportation of arms, &c. We have interested in knowing exactly what has been the ma now National Armories at Springfield, in Massachusetts, nagement of their financial concerns, than, perhaps, in and at Harper's ferry, in Virginia; and a report had been any other subject. If we are to begin the work, [said made to Congress, at his own instance, pointing out the Mr. B.] let it be with something else, more in accordvarious sites which the United States' engineers had ance with the proper principles of retrenchment than this. thought would be advantageous for an armory in the The question was then taken on printing the largest Western country. But, although his immediate constitu- number proposed, ten thousand copies, and decided in ents were deeply interested in the establishment of an the affirmative. armory at the Horse Shoe bend, and others equally interested in other sites, he despaired ever seeing in his day an armory established in the West at all, unless upon the The resolution came up which was yesterday moved by broad principle of giving the Executive of the United Mr. RICHARDSON, of Massachusetts, for the addition to States the power of selecting a site, as had been done here- the standing committees of a tofore in the case of the armory at Springfield, and that at Harper's ferry. Having no objection to inquiring into the expediency of establishing an armory in the West, as well as in the South, but being opposed to confounding the two propositions, Mr. J. moved to strike out of Mr. CARSON'S amendment the conjunction or, and insert and, which would have the effect to separate the two propositions, instead of connecting them.

Mr. CARSON said, he was entirely disposed to gratify his friend from Kentucky; but, as his motion had been made on the impulse of the moment, and could be readily modified to meet his friend's views, he moved, to give opportunity for that purpose, that the resolution should be ordered to lie upon the table for the present. The motion was agreed to.

ANNUAL TREASURY REPORT.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1829.

COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION.

The resolution having been read,

Mr. RICHARDSON said that his proposition was a simple one, proposing only that a standing Committee on Education should be provided, by the rules and orders of the House. Unless it was made necessary, by objections to the resolution, he should not occupy any portion of the time of the House upon it, but submit it for decision without remark.

Mr. HALL said, in due deference to the gentleman who presented this resolution, the subject was one which he conceived did not properly come within the control of Congress. I shall, [said he,] therefore, feel myself bound to object to the resolution. The subject of education, evidently, so far as legislation can be carried to it, properly belongs to the State authorities. If we go on assuming authority over subjects entirely foreign to our sphere of extrinsic matter. As an instance, I will mention the subThe report having been announced from the Chair, ject of agriculture; over which we have, I believe, a Mr. BUCHANAN moved that ten thousand copies of standing committee. This, I have always been at a loss the report, and the documents accompanying it, be printed. to reconcile to my idea of the just power of Congress. Mr. WHITTLESEY proposed six thousand copies, be- If we go on engulphing every subject to which legislation ing the largest number ever printed of a public document can be carried, to what result must we come? Shall we not before this session. effectually assume all the power of the State authorities? Mr. BUCHANAN said that the Annual Report from This must necessarily be the result. Sir, there is a doctrine the Treasury Department was always looked to with great advanced, and properly advanced, and sustained by the interest by the people; that it was too voluminous to find Supreme Court of the United States, a doctrine properly admission at large into the newspapers; that its general deduced from one of the plainest provisions of the concirculation was very desirable, &c. Ten thousand copies stitution-it is, that all the powers of this Government, had been ordered to be printed of the documents accom-though limited, are plenary, within their proper sphere. panying the message of the President, and this document, I admit the soundness of this doctrine; but if so, it at once he presumed, would be considered of at least equal import-puts this subject to rest. I presume neither the gentleman himself, nor any other, will pretend that the States

The SPEAKER laid before the House a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury, transmitting his annual re-authority, where are we to end? We already have much port upon the state of the finances.

ance.

Mr. WHITTLESEY said, he admitted that thit docu- have not the right to legislate upon this subject. If this ment was one of importance, and sought for with avidity. be so, it is decisive that this Government cannot, because He thought, however, that the largest number of copies its power over the subject, being plenary, is necessarily ever before printed, was sufficiently large now; especially exclusive, and therefore not to be participated. It is not as the material and substantial part of the report would my object to detain the House; but for the reasons given, find its way into every newspaper in the country. He was I object to the resolution.

disposed, he said, to observe, as far as was consistent with Mr. DAVIS, of South Carolina, expressed a desire to a prudent regard to the public interest, the system of eco- know what were the particular views which had induced

H. of R.]

·Committee on Education.

[DEC. 16, 1829.

the gentleman from Massachusetts to bring forward this committees on agriculture, manufactures, Indian affairs, proposition. and various interests, never named in the constitution Mr. STORRS, of New York, made a few observations, What is the language of the constitution? "We, the the import of which was, that he was perfectly willing, people of the United States, in order [among other things! when any subject requiring it should be before the House, to promote the general welfare, and secure the bless to give it direction to a proper committee. He was not ings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain aware, however, of any necessity for a standing committee and establish this constitution for the United States of on the subject. The only way in which it had heretofore America." The eighth section, which enumerates the been directly presented to the consideration of the House, powers of Congress, declares expressly that "the Conwas in the shape of propositions connected with grants of gress shall have power to provide for the general welfare public lands, which had been, as matter of course, referred of the United States;" and "to make all laws which shall be to the Committee on the Public Lands. Believing the con- necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foresideration of such propositions to be safely lodged in the going powers, and all other powers vested by this constihands of that committee, he had no disposition to transfer tution." Is it possible to doubt that Congress is vested by it to another select committee. As at present advised, the constitution with power to pass any laws, or adopt any therefore, he should vote against the resolution. measures, not prohibited by it, which are essential "to

Mr. RICHARDSON said, that the importance of educa-promote the general welfare?" All unite in bearing testition to the people of the United States, induced him to ad-mony that the general diffusion of knowledge in the United vocate the adoption of the resolution now before the House. States is essential "to the general welfare, and to secure The gentleman from New York [Mr. H. R. STORRS] the blessings of liberty." Singular, indeed, would it be, has said that he knows not what a standing Committee on if the framers of the constitution had bound their own Education can have to act upon. Mr. R. said, he would hands, and the hands of their posterity, under articles and reply to the gentleman, that such a committee would have sections to exclude the great law of self-preservation from the whole subject to act upon—a long neglected subject, the system. I cannot impute to them, nor to the system, and of the highest importance to the welfare of this Union. a folly so stupendous.

This subject had been most earnestly and repeatedly It is demanded, if measures for the promotion of educa recommended by the great patrons of liberty--the fathers tion were deemed so important, why have they not been of American independence--the founders of this republic. adopted? My answer is, that a favorable moment for the Permit me [said Mr. R.] to call the attention of the House purpose has not before occurred. Soon after the immorto the opinion contained in the message of the first Presi- tal Washington recommended this subject to the attention dent of the United States to Congress, in 1790: of Congress, the civilized world was wrapt in a flame of war and revolution. Our revenue was reduced or exhausted in measures for self-defence. This country suffer

"Nor am I less persuaded that you will agree with me in opinion that there is nothing which can better deserve your patronage than the promotion of science and litera-ed from many causes of embarrassment. ture. Knowledge is, in every country, the surest basis of When prosperity began again to dawn upon the repubpublic happiness. In one, in which the measures of Gov-lic, the illustrious Jefferson recommended to Congress ernment receive their impressions so immediately from the the same subject. But soon again embarrassments and sense of the community as in ours, it is proportionably war dried up and exhausted the resources of the country. essential. To the security of a free constitution it contri-To the discharge of the public debt the revenue has been butes in various ways. By convincing those who are en-applied, until the moment has nearly arrived when it will trusted with the public administration, that every valuable have been wholly cancelled. At the same time the reve end of government is best answered by the enlightened nue is gradually increasing, so that a large surplus will confidence of the people, and by teaching the people remain in the national treasury. To what purpose more themselves to know and to value their own rights; to valuable to the United States, or more honorable to this discern and provide against invasions of them; to distin- Government, can that surplus be applied, than to the purguish between oppression and the necessary exercise of pose of education? It may well become the guardians lawful authority-between burdens proceeding from a of the public welfare to consider, that if this surplus of disregard to their convenience, and those resulting from revenue should not be applied in a manner to satisfy the the inevitable exigencies of society; to discriminate the people that it is beneficial to the general welfare, they may spirit of liberty from that of licentiousness--cherishing the indignantly send up a power here that shall cause the reve first--avoiding the last-and uniting a speedy, but tempe-nue to be abolished; an event which all would have cause rate vigilance against encroachments, with an inviolable to deplore. Let the revenue be abolished, and the Union respect to the laws. Whether this desirable object will would be prostrate at the feet of her enemies. No, sir, be best promoted by affording aids to seminaries of learn- rather let measures be adopted to apply the surplus of ing already established, by the institution of a National revenue to the promotion of education. The present is a University, or by any other expedients, will be well wor- most favorable moment to devise a plan for this purpose. thy of a place in the deliberations of the Legislature." It is virtually recommended by the President, in his mes --Washington's Message to Congress. sage just communicated, where we are informed that the

Mr. Speaker, this is not a solitary recommendation of amount required for the discharge of the public debt will this subject to the attention of Congress. In similar lan- be at the disposal of the Government for other important guage, it has been repeatedly urged upon Congress by objects. For these general reasons, I am in favor of the Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and others. resolution. Regretting to occupy the time of the House, If it be true, as the gentleman from New York says, I submit the question without further remarks. that a committee on education would have nothing to act Mr. ARCHER, of Virginia, said, that, in common, he upon, the fact is enough to encrimson the cheek of every had no doubt, with many members of the House, he should friend to his country with the blush of deep mortification. have a good deal to say on the subject of this resolution, It is high time that there were a committee to make this a if he could conceive (which he did not) that there were subject of attention--to devise and mature measures to any danger of its adoption. He was persuaded that the promote an object of vital importance to this republic. honorable mover had not meditated fully the extent of the The gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. HALL] has stated that he has constitutional objections to the proposed measure. Is it possible that the constitution prohibits the power to raise a committee on education, whilst there are

question which the resolution went to raise. It was one of the largest, and, in the most favorable aspect, contestable questions of power which had been ever presented in the operation of the Government. It was true, as the

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