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About News & planters' gazette. (Washington, Wilkes County [sic], Ga.) 1840-1844 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 10, 1842)
never would permit her to speak. Full of this thought, she one evening stole from his sick couch to make inquiries about the resident minister ; but hud the disappointment to find he was absent from N co. Worn out with fatigue she had un dergone, both of body and mind she was re tracing hor feeble steps, her tears flowing fast as she reflected howtrrribl - would be hor soifs last moments, deprived of the on ly hope she had dared to look for to render them peaceful by prayer and repentance, when she found herself accosted by an Englishman, who had observed her dejec ted appearance, and now asked if ho coulu he of any service in her distress. On hear, ing her errand and its disappointment, Vi 1 - liers (for it was he, who was travelling with his bride, his long-loved Marian, and her hither) told her he was a Protestant clergyman, and would accompany her home. Arrived at the sick man’s chamber he gently approached the bed with an ex pression of sympathy and pity. He did not recognize in the emaciated dying form be fore him, the man he had once slightly known, and whose character lie had cordi ally despised ; but Benson’s memory was rendered faithful by hatred and fancied wrong ; and starting up in bed with the sudden strength of frenzy, he exclaimed, with an oath, ‘Out of my sight, thou syco phant ! was it not enough to rob me of the girl’s money, but you come here to gloat your eyes on my wretchedness, and watch my dying moments?’ ‘Poor soul, how he raves !’ said the terri lied mother. ‘Raves!’ cried tho dying man. as he shook his first with convulsive energy; ‘do you think 1 know him not? I tell you, mother, it is Villiers—it is the fiend who crossed my path to wealth, and who lias come t > look on his victim ; and, with an hysterical laugh and an awful blasphemy, Peter Ben son ceased to breathe, —unsoftened, unre pentant ; shewing that the possession of wealth, without sympathy of soul and the exercise of benevolence, leads but to mis ery here, and an awful prospect for hereaf ter ! As Sir Philip Sydney has said’ ‘Riches may be considered a treasury of blessings when possessed by the worthy, and an a- j bused good in the hands of the heartless!’ ; A TRUE PATRIOT. “ When the Declaration of Independence was under debate in the Continental Con gress, doubt and forebodings were whisper ed through the hall. The House hesitated, wavered, and for a while the liberty and sla very of the country appeared to hang in even scale. It was then an aged patriarch arose—his head white with the frost of years. Every eye went to him with the quickness of thought and remained with the fixedness of the polar star. He east on the assembly a look of’ inexpressible interest, and unconquerable determination ; while on his visage the hue of age was lost in the flush of burning patriotism that fired his cheek. ‘ There, is,’said he, when he saw the house wavering. ‘ There is a tide in the affairs of men—a nick oftime—we per ceive it now before us. To hesitate, is to consent to our slavery. That noble instru ment upon our table, should be subscribed this very morning by every pen in the House. He that will not respond to its ac cents and strain every nerve to carry into effect its provisions, is unworthy the name of a freeman. For my own part, of prop erty 1 have some—of reputation more.— That reputation is staked, that property is pledged on the issue of this contest. And although these grey hairs must descend in to the sepulchre, 1 would infinitely rather they would descend thither by the hands of the public executioner, than desert at this crisis the sacred cause of my country.’— Who was it that uttered this memorable speech—potent in turning the scale of a nation’s destiny, and worthy to be preser ved in the same imperishable record in which is registered the no more eloquent speech ascribed to John Adams, on the same sublime occasion ? It was John Wither spoon. at that day the most distinguished Presbyterian minister west of the Atlantic Ocean—the father of the Presbyterian Church in the United States. From the Savannah Republican. SENATOR BERRIEN. The great effort of this distinguished statesman against the repeal of the Bank rupt Law, is lauded every where and by every body. We are waiting with all due patience to get hold of it, and if it is not too long to lay it before our readers. The Washington correspondentofthe Richmond Whig—(than whom there is not a more gentlemanly scribe at the capitol,) thus speak of Mr. Berrien’s great speech. It is certainly glory enough for one duv, thus to pe publicly crowned by the praises of glo rious old Harry : “Leaving this unwelcome theme, I hasten ed to one as interesting and inviting as that just dismissed is forbidding. Wandering from the Hall ofthe House of Representa tives to the calmer arena of the Senate chamber, 1 there listened to a speech, the like of which [ have seldom heard, —one that 1 can never forget, until 1 shall cca.se to be an admirer of all that is grand in in t v-Ileet and noble in heart. I allude to the .speech ol Mr. Berrien, of Georgia, in oppo sition to the repeal of the Bankrupt Law of the late Extra Session. Banished as he had been, from the public councils, by the mad infatuation of the Jackson era, i had never heard the distinguished Senator be fore, and little knew the intellectual Jewel the country possessd in this gifted son of Georgia, I had heard of him, of course, and heard of him as one of the great of the na tion ; yet 1 had not done him tlie justice he so well merits, of placing him in the rank of Clay and Webster, and Calhoun, and the master intellects of America. But such, most surely, is his lawful rank. He is a giant in mind, as he is towering as a statesman. He is the happy combination, so seldom met with, of magnificient argu ment and lofty eloquence. In his speech there was a glorious nTxturc of irresistible reasoning and touching patlies, which took eaptivethe head and heart of the hearer, and left him indoubt wliiyli most to admire the head that could reason most powerful ly, or the heart that could feel so acutely. I do not exaggerate —no —1 speak to you sentiment of as deep sincerity as ever es caped me —that if nil the poor, unhappy j bankrupts of our country could have been present, and heard their generous country man ph ailing theircause with an eloquence “above all Greek, above nil Roman fame'’ they would have vowed, by acclamation, to appropriate the first fruits of their rc demption to the erection ofa monument to their matchless b ncfactor. There was no attempt at any thing like sophistry ; no af fectation of the pathetic,none ofthe logicians or the orator’s art—the whole effort, a plain trulh tolling, heart-stirring appeal, which left one, (at least, you” humble correspon dent) without a shadow of ground against this most beneficient act ofFederal legisla tion. It was a speech, indeed, that did hon our to American statesmanship and orato ry; and 1 could not but regret that an Eng lisli nobleman (Lord Morpeth) was all the time seated in the Hall ofthe House ol Rep resentatives, witnessing scenes not the most honorable to American character, while in the other wing ofthe Capitol, an exhibition was going on, which would have sent him from the State-house with far more favour able impressions of our country, and her public men. I might mention a compliment paid the accomplished Senator’s speech which is far more expressive than any words I can em ploy, and far more authoritative than any poor opinion of mine. A few minutes after Mr. Berrien took his seat, and after the im pression under which he left his audience at the close of his speech, had, had a little time to subsidy Mr. Clay approached Mr. 8., and seizing his hand with a cordial grasp, exclaimed, in an audible voice—“l than you—l thank you, from my heart, 1 thank you.” There “’as not so much in the words as in the deep feeling and solemn tone with which they were uttered. Trifling as this little incident may seem to some, it lias rarely been my fortune to witness a scene of more imposing, moral effect. There sat the Georgia Senator, in his obtrusive modesty, seemingly uncon scious of his own merits, and of the power of his great effort—and there, beside him stood tile man of whom all Am erica may he proud, whose fame is a part, and a bright part, of the history of the age, and whose bare compliment is a high honor to those on whom it is bestowed. There he stood evidently deeply affected, cordially con gratulating Ids brother Senator: “1 thank you—, from my heart, 1 thank you ’ —as much as to say, “you have plead well the poor bankrupt’s case, and done honor to yourselfand your country”—a compliment of which even great minds might be proud. Alas that such a creature as John Tyler should rule our destiny, when the country lias such men ns these! 1 will no: attempt even an outline of this admirable speech, hut I trust it will be pub lished and read throughout the Union. From the Charleston Court or. BANKRUPT LAW. In compliance with the request of mer cantile gentlemen, we publish the follow ing summary of the different steps or pro ceedings to he taken by a bankrupt in ob taining his discharge under the provisions j of the present act : ! Ist. An inventory must bo carefully pre- I pared, containing an accurate statement, I according to the best of the bankrupt’s i knowledge and belief, of bis creditors, their ! places of resident-! , and the amount due to j each ; also, an ae ■ urate inventory of the j bankrupt’s property, rights and credits of j every kind, ur.d the location and situation j thereof, and of every part of it. The pc-ti | tion embodying this slat* merit, and the dec j ! a ration ofthe bankrupt’s inability to pay his debts, must ill u be drawn and verified { bv the oath of the bankrupt, to be taken be fore a district judge ofthe United States,or before a commissioner appointed by the I court for the purpose, or before a disinter j ested state judge where the debtor lives. (Sec. 7.) ‘i’liis petition may then be pre- | seated to the district court of the district where the bankrupt resides, at any time. (Sec. 1. 6.) 2d. On this petition being presented to the court, the court will thereupon order a i hearing as directed in Sect. 7, and notice i :s thereupon to be published by the debtor, I in one or more newspapers printed in the ; district where the debtor resides ; such pa ! per or papers to be designated by th** court , which notice must be published at least ! twenty days before the hearing, and all per | sons are thereby notified, and may appear j and show cause, if any they have, why the i prayer ofthe petition should not be granted. Tiiis hearing is to he before the court, and is to be upon testimony under oath or affirmation—and where the testimony is I written the depositions must he taken be | fore a district judge, commissioner or disin ! terested state judge. (Sect. 7. The bank -1 rupt should be prepared to attend thisnear j ing with his counsel. This is a preliminary hearing. 3d. Upon the order ofthe decree ofbank i ruptey following the hearing, the debtor be j comes absolutely divested of his property ; j assignees are immediately appointed by the j court by order, arid all the property of the j debtor is vested in ihe assignees so appoin j ted. Provision is not made in the act for I creditors naming any ofthe assignees, but. the court will exercise proper discretion oil this subject. 4th. The assignees having been appoin ted by the court immediately after the de cree of bankruptcy following the hearing, it is their duty to proceed at once to take proof of the debts, and to reduce the proper ! tv, &o of the debtor to money; and declare Ia dividend or dividends, so as to have a j speedy settlement of the bankrupt’s estate las required in Sect. 11. The bankrupt, in the meantime must at all times’ hold fiirn self in readiness for examination under oaih touching Ids property and dijbts, both before ihe court and assignees. Tjie courts are to prescribe rules and regulations as to the proving of debts before the assignees. sth. The bankrupt having made a full surrender of his property, and having com plied with such orders and rules df court as have been prescribed, and the assignees ha vinj* discharged their duties and Hosed the estate, the bankrupt must then give public notice in some public newspaper designated by the court, to all creditors who have proved their debts, and other persons inter ested, to appear and show causj: why the bankrupt should not receive his; discharge and a certificate thereof. VVkich notice must be published at least severity days be fore the time of the final hearing. The court in certain cases may direct personal service ofthe notice. 6th. After the expiration of ninety days from the decree of bankruptcy, anil after the publication ofthe notice, ind compli ance with the other provisions first mention ed—if upon the final hearing po sufficient cause be shown against the discharge, and a majority in number and the cred itors who have proved their deqts do not ob ject in a written dissent—and upon petition for the discharge duly presented for that purpose, the court will grant a full dis charge of the bankrupt from all his debts —and grant a certificate thereof, under the seal of the court, which will be valid against all suits and claims against the bankrupt up to the time of his bankruptcy. 7th. At the hearing last mentioned, the court before whom it is had, may, if they areof opinion that the bankrupt has not complied with the terms of the act, or been guilty of any fraud, or if a majority in num ber and value of the creditors who have proved their debts, file a written dissent to the discharge, refuse a discharge and certi ficate ; in which even the bankrup may, if bethinks proper, demand atr:a! of the facts before a jury ; or appeal from the decision ofthe district to the circuit court. The ap peal is to be tried at the next circuit court hereafter to be held, either by the court or before a jury at the debtor's option. The forms which here follow, are given for the purpose chiefly of making more in telligible the inode of proceeding in order to bring a party before the court, under the act. The district courts will prescribe the precise forms to be used to bring a party before the court, and for the subsequent steps to the final discharge of the bankrupt; and this duty required of them by the act, renders it unnecessary as well as improper to attempt to give here a complete set ol forms. Form of Petition for a bankrupt applying under the voluntary clause. To the Honorable S. R. 8., judge ol the district court ofthe U. S., in and lor the district of The petition of respectfully shew eth that your petitioner is a resident of the of in the county of and the state of and that your petitioner has become unable to meet his debts or on gagements. And your petitioner further showeth, that he is indebted to the persons and in the sums mentioned and set forth in the schedule of debts hereby annexed and marked “ schedule setting forth a list ot petitioner’s creditors, their residence, and the amount due to each,” and signed by your petitioner, which schedule, according to the best of your petitioner’s knowledge and belief, contains a true and correct list of all your petitioner’s creditors, their resi dence, and the amounts due to each ol them ; which schedule signed as aforesaid your petitioner prays'njay be taken as part of this his petition ; which d* bis your’ peti tioner showeth have not in whole or in pai t been created in consequence of any defal cation by your petitioner as a public offic r, or as executor, administrator, guardian, or trustee, or while acting in any other fiduci ary capacity. And your petitioner further shows, that the schedule hereto annexed and marked “ inventory of property,” and signed by your petitioner, contains a cor rect inventory of your petitioner’s property rights and credits of every name, kind, and di script ion, and the location and situation of each and every parcel and portion th* e of, to the best of your petitioner’s knowl edge and belief,which your petitioner prays may be taken as part of this bis petition. Your petitioner therefore respectfully prays, that be may by decree of this honor able court be declared a bankrupt accord ing to the provisions of the act ofCongress, in such case made and provided ; and that such further order and proceedings may b<* taken as are provided for, directed, or re quired in and by the said act ofCongress. Dated, dec. Signed by the Petitioner. Form of Jurat to the foregoing : J United States of America, i District of $ On this day of A. D., 18 , per- ! son ally appeared the petitioner above named, and being duly (sworn) made so lemn oath that the foregoing petition by him signed is true. > District Judge. [or such other officer as may be authorized ty the Courts.] Note. —ls the list of deks and property should be brief, they may le stated in the body ofthe petition and the schedules dis pensed with. Form of petition by creditor under the com pulsory provisions and the act. To the Honorable S. R. 8., judge of the District Court of the United States, in and for the District of The petition of of he of State of respectfully shewed), that now a resident of within the district of beiig a trader, and actually using and exercising the trade and business of a merchant, is justly and truly indebted to your petitioner in tlio sum of five hundred dollars and upwards, and also owing debts to the amount of two thousand dollars (and upwards,) did lately commit an act of bankruptcy within the true intent and meaning of the act of Congress in sued) case, made and provided ; and your peti tioner furilier sheweth, that in the month of last past, the said did depart from the State of where lie is an in hubitant, with intent to defraud his credit ors, (or state any other act of bankruptcy specified in the act.) In consideration whereof, your petitioner humbly pravs, that the said may by the order and decree of this Court, be de clared and made a bankrupt, according to the provisions, and that such further pro ceedings may he had in the premises as are directed, provided for, or required in and by the said aci of Congress. Dated, tkc. Signed, ■ [The form of the Jurat to this petition may be the same as to the preceding.] 27 th Correspondence of the Charleston Courier. Washington, Jan. 28, 1842. The Bankrupt Act will go into operation on the first day of February. That is set tled. Mr. Clay of Ky., made a beautiful appeal in favor of the bankrupt law, and a gainst the proposed repial. Mr. Benton concluded his very elaborate and able argument against the act. The Senate then took the vote on the repeal bill, and it was rejected ; for the repeal 22, a gainst it 23. The absentees were Mr. Preston, Mr. Mouton, Mr. Dixon. Mr. Bag by, and Mr. Cuthbert—besides two vacan cies in Tennessee. In full Senate, it ap pears that the repeal bill would have pass id—yeas 27, noes 25 ; that is, supposing that the 2 Senators from Tennessee would vote for th repeal. The following are the yeas and nays on the final vote : Yeas —Messrs. Allen, Archer, Bayard, Benton, Buchanan, Calhoun, Fulton, Gra ham, King, Linn, M’Roberts, Morehead, Pierce, Prentiss, llives, Sevier, Smith of Connecticut, Sturgeon, Tappan, Woodbu ry, Wright and Young—22. Nay; —Messrs. Barrow, Bates, Berrien, Choate, Clay, Clayton, Evans, II nderson, Huntington. Kerr, Mangum, Mt rrick, Mil h r, Phelps, Porter, Simmons, Smith ol In diana, Southard, Tallmadge, Walker, Wil liams, White, and Woodbridge—23. Before the vote was announced, Mr. Man gum remarked that he Lad been requested to account for the absence of the Senator from South Carolina, [Mr. Preston.] I hut Senator, by special appointment to attend to some business with the Senator from Louisiana, [Mr. Mouton,] had paired oil with that Senator. The next thing that will come up in the Senate will bo Mr. Clay’s resolutions —up- on which Mr. Buchanan lias the floor. There is a bill now before the Senate — introduced by Mr. Benton—for the post ponement ofthe bankrupt act till June next, with a view to its amendment. This bill will probably be called up soon, but there is little prospect of its success. ‘1 he act may undergo amendments soon, and there is no doubt that it will be repealed before the time allotted to its existence shall ex pire. The House is placed in an awkward po sition by the trial of Mr. Adams. Tin y have decided, to-day, by a vote of 96 to 110 not to lay the subject on the table. There is every prospect of a prolonged discussion ofthe matter —to the vast detriment of the government which is suffering extremely from the delay of legislation in many res pects. I understood Mr. Adams, yester day, as waiving any further connexion with the subject; but it seems that he intended to waive bis right of reply to Mr. Marshall and Mr. Wise, in order to afford the House an opportunity to lay the subject on the table. Mr. Marshall made a most noble and el oquent speech in support of his resolutions, and called upon the House to sustain them, and not to give them the go-by by laying the motion on the table. Mr. Botts, before answering to his name, asked Mr. Adams whether it was his wish to reply. Mr. A. said he would not take upon himself the re sponsibility of consuming one moment's time of the House with this matter. The motion having failed, Mr. Adams was, quick as ihought—quicker than any ot’his twenty competitors—on the floor addressing the Chair. He obtained the floor and had commenced his remarks, when Mr. Gilmer interrupted him, for a moment, to say to the House, that he would consider it a great | grievance if he could not also be heard on ! this question, at some stage of the proceed- ing. Mr. Adams proceeded, in an earnest and eloquent strain, to Mr. Marshall —whose speech he highly complimented for its abil ity ams eloquence, though he said it was based throughout, ou one single assump tion —that was, an entire perversion of the fact, viz : that he [Mr. Adams] was in fa vor of the prayer of the petition for a disso lution of the Union. Mr. Adams proceeded, at some length, and indicated his course of reply—and the information which he should demand, as preparatory to his defence. He said, the most poignant regret that he felt in regard to this matter, was at the consumption of the time of the House which its prosecution would invoke ; and he now informed the House that he would relinquish the defence at any moment, when it might be intimated to him, that the House was prepared to bring the subject to a conclusion. At this stage of the speech, the House adjourned. Mr. Adams, of course, goes on to-morrow. He will occupy several days in bis defence. Washington, Jan. 29. The Senate did not sit to-day. In the House, the priviledge question was again taken up, and Mr. Adams, who was enti tled to the floor, yielded it, in order to ena ble the House to fake up the Treasury note hill, which had been returned from the Sen ate, with an amendment striking out Mr. Gilmer’s proviso. The Treasury note bill was, according ly taken up, and Mr. Sprigg, of Kentucky, spoke strongly against it. Mr. Atherton and others also made the question of the right ofthe Senate to amend a money bill in such a way as to increase the supply.— But the objection wnsoverruled. Theques tion being on concurrence with the Senate, in their amendment, the vote was yeas 100, nays 100—the Speaker gave the casting vote in the affirmative, and so the Treasu ry note bill is passed, ami the Treasury will be able for a short time, at least, to meet the urgent demands upon it. if the “ Cor poral's guard” had not taken the side of the government in this matter. Mr. Tyler would not have been able much longer to conduct the government. Mr. Adams then resumed the floor, and said he was ready to go on with his defence, but he gave way to a motion to adjourn, and the House adjourned. Several wished to offer amendments to the resolutions for the censure of Mr. Adams. It is probable from the present appearance of things that the House will fall back upon Mr. Gilmer’s resolution censuring Mr. Adams for a con tempt of the House. It has been lately stated that a movement has been made, among members ol Con gress from the West, in favor of Richard M. Johnson for the Presidency. I do not find that the rumor is true. It is now cur rently reported that a movement has been commenced in favor of Mr. Calhoun, but that may be equally unfounded. Mr. Dixon, one of the Senators from R. Island, died this morning. He had been unwell for sometime. Senator Bagby is not expected to recover. Washington, Jan. 31. When the Treasury note bill was duly , enrolled and approved, to-day, there was ( quite a rush to the pay agents for money. ] None of the public servants were more | anxious to get their money than those who ( serve the people in Congress. The Mem- ( hers have received no pay fora month or more, and were, generally, much in want , dfit. j The death of Mr. Dixon, Senator from Rhode Island, was announced in the Senate ; to-day, by Mr. Simmons, whereupon, the S; nate, without transacting any business, ] adjourned, after passing the customary te- ( solutions in honor of the memory of the de- . ceased. The funeral will take place to morrow. In the House, a great number of Execu tive communications were presented by the Speaker, and were referred to the appropri ate Committees. Some private bills from the Senate were read and referred. This is the first time that the Speaker’s table has been cleared this session. Mr. Cross submitted a resolution calling on the President for information as to the commission for running the boundary be tween the United States and Texas. Mr. Adams demanded that the House should first consider and adopt the resolu tions offered by him on Friday last, calling on the President for certain information which he (Mr. A.) deemed necessary to his defence from his charges brought against him in Mr. Marshall’s resolutions. Mr. Gilmer asked if this would not de lay the action of the House on the resolu tion lie offered on Monday last, censuring Mr. Adams for a contempt of the House. — Mr. Adams replied that there would be no delay on his part; but there might be some delay in obtaining the information called for. Mr. Gilmer then objected to the con sideration of Mr. Adam s resolutions ; and Mr. Adams’ claimed the floor to proceed in his defence. But, at this point, a message was receiv ed from the Senate, in relation to the death of Mr. Dixon, a member of that body. Mr. I illingham of'R. I. then delivered a long and appropriate eulogy on the deceased, arid the House, after adopting the usual resolu tions adjourned. - It is now thought that Mr. Marshall s re solutions for the censure of Mr. Adams will be rejected, and Mr. Gilmer’s adopted. Correspondence of the Baltimore American. Washington, Feb. 3, 1842. UNITED STATES SENATE. The Session commenced this morning with the receipt of a report from the Navy Department. Memorials were presented by several Senators on various subjects, principally, however, against a repeal ol the Bankrupt law, when Reports were presented from the commit tee on Manufactures, and some little de bate arose to the employment of a Glerk by the Committee. The asking of a Clerk seemed to create a suspicion among some of the members that the information to be got by a Clerk would be of a onesided char acter. Mr. King opposed the appointment, and Mr. Woodbury second the opposition. Mr. Calhoun cam* to the aid of the other Sena tors, and was backed by Mr. Sevier, who called for the yeas and nays. The Senate were soon involved in a reg ular Tariff discussion. Mr. Calhoun advocated his Free Trad* doctrines, and argued that the only propel valuation was that which regarded a for eign itivoic , and added to this the expenses of importation. Mr. Clay took ground in opposition to this and contended that such a proposition “as entirely wrong. He replied to the Free Trade notions, as advanced by the benator from South Carolina, and contended .hat they had condemned themselves and their theories, as would be seen by the prices, which had been reduced at the South, par ticularly in regard to Cotton, which “as lower now than it had been since the war. After some little sparring between Mr. Clay and Mr. Calhoun, others took part in the discussion, among whom were Messrs. Simmons, Mangum, Huntington, Buchan an, Linn and others. The question of appointing a Clerk was occasionally alluded to, but not often. — Mr. Buchanan and Mr. Linn, of the oppo sition Senators, alone promised to vote for it. Other Senators gave their reasons why* the wish of the Committee should he grun ted, and then launched off into the exciting topics ofa theme which always gives rise to a debate whenever the subjects of free trade,•‘the laiifT, protection or any kindred question is named in the Senate. The subject of expenditures was also named in the debate, and the remark was made by the Senator from N Carolina (Mr. . Mangum) that the Senate had expended ‘ ,$1,00(1 in a debate upon the simple ques tion ofthe appointment ofa Clerk for a Com mittee. * All the Senators who spoke made some reference to economy, and if Senators mean what they say, the Government will be administered for nothing and find itself- Mr. Mangum said lie should at an early day, propose to reduce the expenses of Gov ernment one-third, by reducing the salaries of all its officers. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. When I closed my letter yesterday after noon, Mr. Adams was on the floor. After he had concluded, Mr. Summers moved an amendment to Mr. Marshall’s resolution, by striking out all after the word “ Resolved ” and inserting in place of the propositions now before the House, the following : “That a select committee be appointed to take into consideration the contempt and breach of privilege alledged to have been committed by J. Q. Adams', a member of this House, in presenting a petition, on the 24th day of January last, purpoting to be signed by certain citizens of Massacusetts, praying that Congress should take suitable measures for the peaceable dissolution of of the Union ; and that it be the duty of said committee to consider and report whetht r any, and if any what further pro ceedings should be taken by the House in the matter of said alledged contempt and breach of privilege ; and if the said com- i mittee shall be of opinion that any action on the part ofthe House in relation to the presentation of said petition by the saidJ. Q. Adams lie proper and expedient, then thut the said committee do further report, what, in their opinion, will he the best and 4 most appropriate mode oi conducting tin. proceedings of the ffsuoo m relation theictc having relations to the powers and duties of the House, the precedents of parliamen tary usage, and the rights of the inembe , accused.” Mr. Gilmer then obtained the floor, am after speaking for some time, yielded for motion to adjourn—and the House accot|, dingly adjourned. j> to-day’s proceedings. fi Several petitions of local and unintere*> ting cast were offered, and one or two rt ‘ cem'd, when objections to the further rece| o , lion were made, and the unfinished busine-C called up. 8c Mr. Gilmer then resumed his speed which was begun yesterday, upon the reso lution to censure Mr. Adams offered HK himself. Mr. G. made a proposition t<9 withdraw the resolution it the from Massachusetts would withdraw thi petition which gave rise to it. . Mr. Adams declined, upon the grounc, that he had been governed by a sense ot dut ty in presenting it. ! Mr. Gilmer then went on, and remarked that he could not take the various votes tc lay this subject on the table, as any evi dence that there was a single member pres ent who ifthe gentleman from Massachu setts had drawn up, at his seat, resolutions embodying the same matter contained it the petition, and presented them here, woulej have hesitated to have inflicted the proposer censure. The propriety of the resolution, and the power ol the House to pass it, were justified by Mr. G. in referring to the? case oi Join Smith, the Senator from Ohio, who was ex pel led from the Senate for his adhesion t< the Burr Conspiracy. The resolution to. his expulsion was introduced by the geri tleman from Massachusetts. The great objection which Mr. G. hat to this petition was, that it was calculate! to familiarize the public mind with revolu tion, and disorganization. Mr. G. saic that he did not intend to discuss the riglr of petition, but certainly the views of the venerable gentleman from Massachusetts were somewhat singular upon this head ? he avows a sacred obligation to present all petitions that may be sent to him. ‘1 bis n certainly taking an “abstract view ol the matter of petitioning, and in future, be thought that the gentleman from Massa chusctts ought to be classed with those win had obtained the subriquet of abstractions Mr. G. went on, at considerable length* to support his own resolution, and hoped., the close of his speech, that the hoi. would proceed without further delay to tal the vote upon the amendments to his res, lution, and upon the resolution itself. When Mr. Gilmer sat down several met hers rose, and the Speaker recognised Mj Cushing ; hut this gentleman, alter < pressing a hope that he might have art <| port unity to speak before the question w taken, inasmuch as the petition came ft( j his District, and not from that of the gi tlcinan from Salem, as he had suppose , gave way to . j Mr. Adams who began in a strain oil cose remark, but soon altered his tone, a! produced considerable sensation in the 11* by affirming the existence of a conspirai to remove him from the place of Chairm on the Committee of Foreign relations, prove this, he stated that a conversation had held with his colleague shewed that had been tampered with in order to effij this, and to bring about the election of AJ Gilmer in his (Mr. A s.) place. Mr. Cushing rose, with much embaia ment, and said that his colleague hail < tirely misrepresented him, & then gave t remark which he said he did mako.^ Mr. Adams was content to take (wc g> *'email's own version ; it shewed the tn( iof what he alledged. Mr. \.then read
