Newspaper Page Text
The Ball opened !—ln our number the in
formation we had acquired in relation to the Com
mercial Bank of Florida, at Apalachicola, was
communicated to the Public iu the shape ol a
caution. Since then, the w orst anticipations have
been more than realized, iu the discovery of the
most deliberate, cool and villainous speculation,
that was ever practiced upon an unsuspecting
community. Tire truth, the whole truth is not yet
developed, but enough is known to stamp this, as
the most magnificent fraud that ha 6 ever been per
petrated in ail this region, and though the matters
to w hich we must now allude, will be made a sub
ject of judicial investigation, still the public inter
ests and the public voice, demand a history o( t he
facts, so far as they have come to light. On the
fourth instant, the Commercial Bank, with till its
assets and liabilities, was sold by John C. Maclay,
Esq. its late President, to a Mr. Hugh Stephen
son.
The premium paid'to the late Stockholders, lor
the Charter, was £>50,0110, w liich was taken out ot
the assets, consisting of protested paper and such
notes, as Stephenson refused to receive. A state
ment of the condition of the Bank, made by its
late Cashier and President, accompanied the
transfer, by which it appears, that the assets turned
over were sufficient to meet its liabilities—minus
the premium deducted. These liabilities ainonn
teJ to one hundred and sixty odd thousand dol
-1 irs. Between two and three hundred thousand
dollars, of the Post notes of the Commercial Bank,
payable at the United States Bank, in Philadel
phia, signed in blank, by the late President and
Cashier, were left in its vaults. It appears that
immediately after the transfer, Stephenson com
menced issuing the bills on hand, as well as the
Post notes, payable as above. To accomplish ah
that has been done, between the purchase of the
Bank, and the denouncement, he must have em
ployed a number of emissaries, for in ten days
thereafter, he left Apalachicola in a steamboat for
Columbus, privately removing the specie and as
sets of the Bank.
Circumstances of a suspicious character in
duced certain gentleman at Apalachicola, to in
terrogate the cashier left in charge of the Bank,
when it was found, that every thing available had
been removed. A party in the Steamer Commerce,
started in pursuit, of Stephenson, but aswuhse
queutl v ascertained, it seems that he had purchased
a steamboat, below Columbus, returned, and was
lying at the Depot on the night the Commerce
went up the river.
About 10 o’clock, on Thursday morning, an ex
press arrived at this place, giving information that
the Steamboat loti, had passed Apalachicola, that
day under a full head of steam, and gone to sea,
and that it was confidently suspected that Stephe-
Rbn was on board, bound lor New Orleans. For
tunately theU. S Steamer Florence, was in our
Bay ready, to proceed to Mobile, and on explain--
iug the circumstance, to Major Jones, who had
control of the Boat, he very promptly assumed
the responsibility of placing her at the disposal of
our citizens. Preparations were made for iiistaut
departure, and before the steam was up, the smoke
ol the lon was seen, doubling Cape St. Bias. In
three hours she was brought alongside the wharf,
having .Stephenson on board. The Boat was
seized by the Collector, for a violation of the
revenue, laws, and Stephenson arrested on a charge
of embezzelment.
About seven thousand dollars in silver, and a
small amount in gold, was found in his possession,
together with the remaining bills and post-notes of
the Commercial Bank, which he had been unable
to throw into circulation. I?e had in his trunk,
about $125,000 in the hills of the West Florida
Bank, of which institution, he was also the Presi
dent, and which was to rise the stronger from its
failure through his means and talents. The lat
ter were designed for circulation in Texas. It
may not be improper to state that Mr. S. from
documents in Jiis possession appears to be the
owner of the Old Magnolia Batik, thus wielding
the destinies of three broken charters, an emin
ence to which few Bankers have hitherto arrived.
From the best data that we are enablad to gather,
we are induced to believe that the responsibilities
of the Commercial Bank, will not fall short of
$400,000, and that its recoverable assets will not
pay more than 10 ctsin the 100.
The guilt of Stephenson, in this transaction is
unequivocal and acknowledged, and punish
ment and opprobrium must certainly await him.
Others are involved in the loud curses of the
community—none more so than Mr. Maclay.
That appearance are against hint all must ac
knowledge but that his conduct may admit of ex
planation, and that he may clear himself of any
participation in this fraud, 19 earnestly contended
for by his friends. We believe that he has been
guilty of a great oversight and imprudence in
placing iu the hands of Stephenson the means of
doing this foul wrong to the public, but we as ho
nestly believe he is no farther culpable.
lie is absent now, and it is but sheer justice in
the community to suspend their verdict of con
demnation until he can be heard in his own de
fence. If we are not mistaken in the man, that
defence will be fully and promptly made.
P. S.—Since the above has been set up Mr.
Maclay has returned, prepared to disabuse the
public mind of any impressions made as to his
fraudulent participation in the late operations of
the Commercial Bank, llis defence, and such
other matters as may cotnc to light in the ensuing
wt.*k, connected with this subject, shall be given
in our next.— St. Joseph's Times.
From the Apalachicola Gazette
The undersigned, late Directors of the Bank of
West Florida, desirous that their friends abroad
should fully understand the facts in regard to this
institution as connected with themselves, beg
leave to present the following statement:
In accepting their appointment, the Directors
were fully apprised,of its responsibility, and mo
tives of personal security, as well as due regard
to public interest, determined them at their first
meeting to confine the operations of the bank for
the time being, strictly to the redemption of the
old issue, which was supposed not to exceed eight
thousand dollars. The propriety and necessity of
this course, was readily acceded to by Hugh Ste
phenson, the President and ow ner of the Insti
tution.
From tho personal knowledge which the Direc
tors had of Mr. Steohenson's resposibility, they
never -doubted his ability to restore public confi
dence in the bank, and guarantee the community
against any subsequent loss by its operations.
Aral his conduct during their intercourse with
him was calculated to disarm all suspicion of his |
ultimate object, up to the time ofliis purchase of j
<he “Commercial Bank.” At the second meeting (
ofthe Board, Mr. -Stephenson applied for leave to j
isstXo six thousand dollars of the new bills, which
was granted ;on the express condition, however,
that every dollar of the old circulation should
first be redeemed, as w ill appear b v a resolution of
the board entered u|k»ii their minutes.
It appears that a short time subsequent to the
passage of the above resolution, Mr. Stephenson
issued new bills to a large amount, and through Ins
agents, circulated them in different sections oi the
Western country. The first intimation w inch
the directors hail of this fact, was the remittance
of three thousand dollars of this issue trom New
Orleans, to our city for redemption. A few days
after, and before a meeting of ilie board eouid be
had, Mr. Stephenson left this place for the osten
sible object of making his “Commercial” money
bankable in Tallahassee. I pon investigation
after he left, it was found that he had, without the
knowledge even of the cashier, taken with him the
entire capital of the Bank, amounting to sixty
thousand dollars, together with the assets ol the
“Commercial Bank.” He was immediately pur
sued by a committee appointed by the citizens of
this place, at rested on his t way to Texas, and is now
confined iu Pensacola Jail, to await his trial.
A. G. SEMMES,
A. K. ALLISON,
JOHN T. MV KICK,
E. WOOD.
A MOST DISGRACEFUL AFFAIR.
Our readers will perhaps recollect the circum
stance which occurred in the legislature of Arkan
sas, when a member was killed by the Speaker.
The Little Rock Gazette gives the follovvin? pic
ture of the state of the public feeling in that most
civilized country.
Three days elapsed, before the constituted au
thorities took any notice of this horrible, this mr.r
detous deed, and not then until a relation ot the
murdered Anthony had dentandad a warrant for
the apprehension of Wilson. Several days then
elapsed before he was brought before an examin
ing court. llethcn, in a carnage and four, came
to the place appointed for his trial. Four or five
days was employed in the examination of witnes
ses, and never was a clearer case of murder proved
thru on that occasion. Notwithstanding, the
Court. (Justice Brown dissenting,) admitted Wil
son to bail, and positively refused that the prose
cuting attorney for the State should introduce the
law, to show that it was not a bailable case, or even
to hear an argument from him, and the counsel
associated with him lo prosecute Wilson for the
murder.
At the time appointed for the session of the Cir
cuit Court, Wilson appeared agreeably to his
recognizance. A motion was made by Wilson’s
counsel for a change of mine, founded on the af
fidavits of Wilson and two other men. One stated
in his affidavit, “that nine tenths of the people of
Pulaski had made tip and expressed their opinions,
and that, therefore it would be unsafe for Wilson
to be tried in Pulaski,” the other, “that, from the
repeated occurrences of similar acts within the
last four or five years, in this country, the people
were disposed to act rigidly, and that it would be
unsafe for Wilson to be tried in Pulaski.” The
court, thereupon, removed Wilson to Saline coun
ty, and ordered the Sheriff to take Wilson into
custody, and deliver him over to the Sheriff of
Saline county.
The Sheriff of Pulaski never confined Wilson
one minute, but permitted him to go when: he
pleased, without a guard, or any restraint imposed
on him whatever. On his way to Saline, he en
tertained him freely at his own house, and the
next day delivered him over to the Sheriff of that
coun’y, who conducted the prisoner to the debtor’s
room m the jail, and gave him the key, so that he
anti every body else had free egress and ingress at
aJI times. Wilson invited every body to call on
him, as lie wished to see his friends, and his room
was crowded with visitors, who called to drink
grog, and laugh and talk with him. But this
theatre was not sufficiently large for this purpose.
He afterwards visited the dram shops, where he
freely treated all that would partake with him, and
went fishing and hunting with others at pleasure,
and entirely without restraint. He also ate at the
same table With the Judge while on trial.
When the court met at Saline, Wilson was put
on his trial. Several days were occupied in ex
amining the witnesses in tho ease. After the ex-'
animation was closed, while Col. Taylor was en
gaged in a very able, lucid, and argumentative
speech on the part of the prosecution ; some man
collected a parcel of the rabble, and came within
a few yards of the court house door, and bawled
in a loud voice : “part them—part them !” Every
body supposed there was an affray, and ran to the
doors and windows to see: and behold there was
nothing more than the man, and the rabble he had
collected round him, for the purpose of annoying
Col. Taylor while speaking. A few minutes af
terwards this same person brought a horse near
the court-house door, alid commenced, crying
the horse, as though he was for sale: and contin
ued lor ten or fifteen minutes to ride before die
court house door, crying the horse in a loud and
boisterous tone of voice. The Judge sat as a si
lent listener to the indignity thus offered the court
and counsel, by this man, without interposing his
authority.
To show the depravity of the times, and the
people, after the verdict had been delivered by
the jury, and the court informed Wilson that he
was discharged, there was a rush towards him :
some seized him by the hand, some by the arm,
and there was great and loud rejoicing and exul
tation, directly in the presence of the court; and
Wilson told the sheriff to take the jury to a gro
cery that he might treat them, and invited every
body that chose to go.. The house was soon filled
to overflowing, and it is much to be regretted that
some men who have held a good standing in
society, followed the crowd to the grocery, and
partook of Wilson's treat. The rejoicing was
kept up till near supper time; but to cap the cli
max, soon after supper was over, a majority of the
jury, together with many others, went to the room
that had been occupied for several days by the
friend and relation of the murdered Anthony, and
commenced a scene of the most ridiculous dan
cing, (as it is believed,) in triumph for Wilson,
and as a triumph over the feelings of the relation
of the departed Anthony. The scene did not end
there. The party retired to a dram shop, and
continued their rejoicing until about half past 10 !
o’clock. They then collected a parcel of horns, 1
trumpets, dec. ami marched through the streets,
blowing them, till near day, when one of the coin- !
pany rode his horse into the porch adjoining the
room which was occupied by the relation of the
deceased.
These are some of the facts that took place dur
ing the progress of the trial, and after its close.
The whole proceedings have been conducted more
like a farce than any thing else, and it is a dis
grace to the country in which this fatal, this hor- !
rible massacre lias happened, that there should
be in it men so lost to every sense of virtue, of
THE GEORGIA MIRROR
feeling, -toid of humanity, to sanction and give
countenance, to this bloody deed. V> tlson’s hand
is now stained with the blood of a worthy and un
offending man. The seal of disapprobation must
for ever rest upon him, in the estimation of the
hone-t* well meaning ; art of the community.
Humanity shudders at the bloody deed, and ages
cannot wipe away the stain which he has brought
upon bis country. Arkansas, heretofore, the
mock of other States, on account of the frequent
murders and assassinations which have marked
her character, has now to be branded with the
stain of this horrible, this murderous deed ; ren
dered still more odious, from the c.'.eu instances,
that a jury of twelve men, should have rendered
a verdict of acquittal, contrary to law and evidence.
From the Southern Recorder.
It must be gratifying to the Governor of Geor
gia, to discover by the obvious and unerring indica
tions of public opinion from all parts of the State,
that Ids course in relation to the Cherokecs,
which has resulted so auspiciously for the inter
ests of the country, is so generally approved and
applauded, we may say, by the great body of both
parties, '1 be prudence, energy and admirable
foresight of the Executive, with the most fortunate
selection of the officer to whom was confided the
emigration of the Cherokecs, have removed titis
numerous Indian tribe with a success, combined
with a humanity to the Indians, and a regard to
their comfort, we will venture to say, unparalleled
in the history of Indian emigration since the for
mation of the Govereuent.
'i he happy re; ults of the course of our Chief
Magistrate, in relation to this inoinenmosquestion,
we are glad to know is not appreciated sol "lv in
Georgia, iu a letter from Washington city,
now before us, from a gentleman whose character
and associations qualify him to /.-now the accura
cy <jl his statements, he savs, among otherthiogs,
‘•Gov. Gilmer has risen greatly here.—l am proud
ol such a Governor.” Such is public opinion a
broad, and such we are very certain, at least upon
this question, is public opinion at home; and the
consciousness ol this, we dare say, is the reward
most desired, next to the consciousness of having
performed his duty, by our worthy and patriotic
Govern r. thrall rue care, an ,iety. and toil with
which the measure has been attended.
The Secretary ol War, in pretending the pro
positions of the Government io John Boss, have
been greatly ini 'apprehended by the Governor of
Georgia, w,IL discover ere this, we presume, by
the receipt of the letter of remonstrance on tin*
same subject, directed to him by the Governor of
Alabama, that lit' has been singularly unfortunate
iu conveying the meaning of those propositions,
if they are not precisely such as the Governor of
Georgia has represented them to be. Here is
a strong and spirited letter of remonstrance, from
a tborough going administration man, the Govern
or of Alabama, iu which this friend of the admin
istration characterizes this measure of the Govern
ment, as both impolitic and unjust.—What will
Mr. Poinsett think of this political friend, who
seems to have misunderstood him quite as much
as the Governor of Georgia ?—And'a more impor
tant question here presents itself, what will this
political friend think of the honorable Secretary
of War ?
But what will the honorable Secretary think of
his friend not only so far misunderstanding him,
but in addition, thinking the intended measure
of the Government so hostile to the peace of the
country, as to induce him to put in requisition a
brigade of the militia oflh; State? Surely the
honorable Secretary will deem his friend the Gov
ernor of Alabama positively deranged. The fol
lowing is the military order of the Governor of Ala
bama, called forth by the most wonderfully mis
taken propositions of the Federal Administration.
Executive Department, )
Tuscaloosa, June Bth, 1838. t
Sir :—From the present aspect of affairs between
the Federal!iovermnentand the Cherokee Indians,
I am induced, as a measure of prudent caution, to
require you to detail from the military division
under your command, seven hundred and fifty
men, rank and file, to be raised either by volun
teering or draft, and to be held in readiness, at a
moment’s warning, for the Cherokee service—in
the following proposition : two hundred and fifty
cavalry or mounted infantry, and five hundred
infantry on foot.
The reasons which nave influenced me in tise
adoption of this precautionary measure are these :
—ls the proposals recently submitted by the
War Department to John Ross and others, should
be acceded to by them, there is reason to appre
hend, that Georgia will attempt to remove the In
dians beyond her limits forcibly, on her own
responsibility—in which event the Indians will be
thrown into this State. If on the oilier hand,
the propositions from the War Department,
should not lie acceded to by the Cherokee dele
gation, or, if the Government of the United States,
failing to obtain the assent ofthe States interested,
to these propositions, should find it necessary to
withdraw them, I think it not improbable, that
there will be much tumult, if not hostility with
the Indians. In , either event, I think it most
compatible with the interests and safety of our
people hi that part of the State, that we should
be prepared to act, as circumstances may require.
You will he pleased to report your proceed
ings with the least practicable delay, and to inform
me at the same time, what quantity of muskets,
rifles, and accoutrements for Cavalry, there are in
your Division fit for use. I have made similar
requisition on Major General Philpot, from which
you will perceive that Fifteen Hundred Troops
are considered necessary, for the anticipated emer
gency. In order to avoid expense to the public,
it will be proper, after the troops are raised and
organized, to discharge them with the express
understanding that they will be liable to be called
on at any moment.
With great respect, I am, sir,
Your most obedient servant,
A. P. BAGBY,
Major General Patterson,
Is it not passing strange, that while even the 1
warmest friends of the administration, in Van \
Buren States too, should thus independently re- I
bake the Government for the wantonness of its
conduct in relation to a subject so important, that ,
there should be found in Georgia, some so com
pletely bound to the administration, as to vindi- :
cate all its enoVmities, even when practised against j
her own State l—ib "
From the correspondence ofthe Augusta Sentinel.
Washington, June 25, 1838.
The Suh-Treasury Rill again rejected!
The morning hour, to day, being set anart for
the reception of resolutions from the states in their •
order,
Mr. Petriken moved to suspend the rules, >n i
order to enable him to make a motion to recon
sider the vote by which on Saturday last the House
adopted a resolution designating the second Mon
day in July for the termination of the present ses
iou. The House agreed to suspend the rules,
and then rejected by a large majority the propo
sition to reconsider. The object was to fix the
third Monday for the close ofthe session, and then
starve olfa decision ou ttie Sub Treasury Bill for
several days. But the party failed in their purpose.
The resolution to adjourn on the day mentioned
cannot now be reconsidered ; and it is highly proba
ble that the vote will be taken outlie Sub-Treasury
Bill to-morro-v ; and little doubt is entertained,
that this odious and pernicious measure will be
defeated.
The Chair then proceeded to call the states in
their order for resolutions. »
Mr. Hopkins, from the Select Committee on
the memorial of Francis P. Blair, asking an
inquiry into the mode in which he has executed
the public printing, reported a resolution to au
thorise that Committee to send for persons and
papers.
Some debate arose on the motion. Tt was stren
uously on the ground that there would not be
time fora thorough investigation, before the close
ofthe session. The rcsolulio 1 was finally carried
by the instrumentality of the previous question.
A great number of resolutions were submitted
and laid over till tomorrow. The most important
of them will be noticed as they successively come
up.
Mr. Bell rose, and remarking that the most of
these resolutions were unimportant, and could
not be acted upon at the present session, moved
that the Houseshou.d proceed to the considera
tion ofthe Sub-Treasury Bui. Those who wish
ed that important measure starved off endeavored
to put down this proposition by clamor; but it
would not do : an order was passed that the Sub-
Treasury Bill should be taken tip immediately
after the recess, at half past three o’clock.
Mr. Bell expressed a hope that both of the
houses would aeroeto l*'t the Li 11 be reported from
tlm Committee of the Whole this evening.
When the House re-assembled, Mr. Duett
addiessed the Chair until rear six o'clock, in a
speech tempered with nuUifio-ntiori, n ti-abolition,
and other sentiments (if mm extracts) from old
speeches of Calhoun, Miller, and others of
that school. Alter which, the committee, by a
v- to of 22 to 6, a;:> c'l to ttie motion of Mr. Gar
j land to strike out the enacting clause, and reported
I the bill to the House.
As soon as the Speaker took the Chair, Mr.
Sherrod Williams called for the previous ques
tion, which was sustained, and the question now
being on ordering the bill to be engrossed and read
a third time, Mr. Wise asked for a call of the
House, which was ordered.
After the call was gone through, and all the
members except five found to be iu attendance,
The question was then put, and decided in the
negative. Ayes 111, Nays 125.
So the House have REJECTED TIIE SUB
TREASURY BILL! !!
The Vice President laid before the Senate, to
day,a communication from the Secretary of War
with a Report from the Commissioner on Indian
Affairs, in pursuance of a Senate resolution, con
taining information as to the steps which have
been taken by the Executive for exchanging land
South West of the river Missouri, for land own
ed by the Poltawattomies and other Indians. Laid
on the table and ordered to be printed.
Also, from the Treasury Department, detailed
statements in part ofthe accounts of suc h collec
tors, receivers, and disbursers of the public mon
ey as have been reported to Congress, at its pre
sent sesrion, as defaulters—ofthe’accounts ofthe
deficits respectively, the credits obtained by such
defaulters, with explanations why these credits
were not allowed, tie. fir.. btc.
Mr. McKean presented a memorial from Penn
sylvania, remonstrating against, the execution of
the Treaty of New Echota, w ith tire Cherokee
Indians; also several memorials on the subjects "of
annexation of Texas, and abolition of slavery in the
District of Columbia—all laid on the table.
Mr. Buchanan presented several memorials
from Philadelphia, praying the immediate passage
of the Sub-Treasury Bill ; and remonstratin'* a
gainst the establishment of a National Bank.
Mr. Nicholas, from the Committee on Com
merce reported a Bill authorizing vessels bound
to the ports of Mexico, and excluded from them
by blockade, to enter and secure their cargoes in
the ports of the United States.
The resolution from the House of Representa
tives fixing upon the second Monday in Julv as
the day of adjournment was taken up : and post
poned till to-morrow.
The Senate spent the remainder of the day in
private business. ' j\j.
W AsmxoTON, .Tune 26th, 1838.
I had the pleasure to announce to your readers,
by the Express Mail yesterday, the signal defeat
of the Sub-Treasury Bill in the House of Repre
sentatives, by a majority of fourteen! This glo
rious result has spread joy and exultation through
out the city. The announcement called out an
enthusiastic burst of applause from the opponents
of the measure, and from a crowded auditory in
the galleries. From the moment the order was
given for a call ofthe House, the Hall was a scene
of great anxiety, until all the members in the city
were got into their places.
Mr. Jackson, of Georgia, who it was supposed
would vote against the bill, left the city on Sunday
for the Springs. Mr. Bruyn, of New York, is
confined at bis residence in his own state.—Mr.
F. O. .T. Smith was absent, having gone to Europe.
Mr. Ripley, of Louisiana, was absent from in
disposition. Mr. Lawler, dead. With the ex
ception of these, every member ofthe House was
present, and a more solemn vote never was taken.
You could hear every name distinctly responded
to. The members kept their seats until
they had voted, lest by any chanc*' they might I
move beyond the bar, and lose their votes.
To-day, after the presentation of a few unim- I
portnnt petitions and memorials, Mr. Robertson, j
of Va. offered a resolution proposing a pilan for a
Special Deposite system.
Mr. Cambrleing objected, and that grotesque !
personage, Mr. Petriken, of Pennsylvania, join
ed in his objections. He did not, forsooth, want !
a thing to enter in at the windows that could not J
come in at the door!
Mr. Robertson moved to suspend the rules, and ,
the question being taken by ayes and nays, the 1
House refused to suspend.
dr. Adams then resumed bis remarks on the [
subject of the annexation of Texas to the Union. '•
and spoke until the expiration of the hour, with- }
out concluding what he had to say on the ques- !
tion.
The Sub-treasury Bill abandoned !
The House being about to pass to the orders
of the day.
Mr. Foster, of New York, rose and moved to
reconsider the vote by which the Sub-Treasury
Bill was rejected last evening. 3
Mr. Briggs moved to lay the motion to recon
sider on the table.
Mr. Mallory, of Virginia, took occasion to re
mark that he would vote against reconsidering
as he had voted against the bill yesterday iu com
pliance with the instructions of his constituents.
Mr. Mason called upon Mr. Briggs to withdraw
the proposition to lay ou the table, aud allow a
direct vote to be taken.
Mr. Briggs complied with the request.
Mr. Sherrod Williams then moved the previous
question, which was sustained. A cull of the
House was ordered, and there being a large at
tendance of members, the question was put on
agreeing to reconsider, and negatived. Aves 21
Noes 205!! So the Sub-Treasury has been re
jected and abandoned.
Mr. Kennedy, of Maryland, and Mr. Thompson
of South (’aroliaa, successivly proposed resolu
tions in relation tu tl e use f t hanks as depos
itories, and the reception of bank notes; but the
House refused to suspend the rules.
The House resolved itself into Committee ot
the Whole, a; ! toi k tip the bill to increase the
Military E.-dalihst-ment oi the United States,
Jn the Senate, to day, Mr. Webster gave notice
that lie would to morrow, move to take up the bill
introduced by in u, ii reranl ta the use of batiks
as depositories of the public money, and rite re
ception of uot< sos banks issuing notes of a j e .
tron.ini-.iioa ha s than five doihus.
On mjfiin of Mr Bach iu m, the Senate took in
the Joint Resolution f.ron the House fixing the se
cond Monday m J ttly, for terminating the present
session.
Mr. Benton objected to binding the Senate to a
particular day for : luring the Session, lest many
important bills now mcmioncd should be lost for
want of time, to act upon them. lie moved to
postpone the resolution, till Monday next; and
demanded ihe Ay es, and Nays.
Mr. Buchanan replied, and after some discussion
the question was put, ou postponing the resolution
aud negatived. Ayes. 8. Nays, 39.
The question then recurring on the adoption of
the resolution, was carried in the affirmative with
out a division. So the ninth day of July is fixed
on as the day of adjournment.
After the disposal of some private bills, Mr.
Buchanan rose and made a demonstration, which
deserves particular attention, lie introduced a
bill purporting to be supplementary to the Act
entitled. '•An act to establish the Treasury De
partment,” and which is in fact a proposition for
a system of special Specie Deposites. The rev
enue is to lie collected under the order of the
Secretary ofthe Treasury: and the money placed
in special deposite in specie at regular terms: and
thffse bank bills which shall be reserved and not
disbursed, shall after sixty days be converted into
specie, and that played in special deposite. The
bill further provides that after a limited time, no
notes shall be received of batiks that issue bills
under ten dollars; and after another limited peri
od, no notes of a less denomination than twenty
dollars.
This measure was read twice and referred. It
will not fail to attract the attention ofthe country,
that the introduction of this measure was contem
poraneous with the entire abandonment ofthe Sub-
Ti easury Bill, by the House.
The remainder ofthe day was spent ou private
bills.
From the Philadelphia Post.
GOVERNMENT, RETRENCHMENT AND
REFORM. .
A bill was not long since introduced into Con
gress by Mr. Hopkins, of \ irginia, “to divide (be
Federal Government from all connection with the
public press,’’when Mr. Wm. K. Bond, of Ohio
addressed the House at length in favor of a reduc
tion of Executive patronage, taking the report of
the committee on retrenchment in 1828, as the
brsis of his remarks, from which we extract the
following important items. The report alleged
that abuses had '“taken place from the,various and
arbitrary manner in which members estimated
their mileage.” The gefitleman remarked a con
trast in the conduct of two Senators from Missou
ri, as regarded the mode in w hich they respective
ly charged for mileage. The first session of the
20th Congress commenced on the third nay of
December, 1827, and ended on the 26th of May,
1828. These gentlemen attended the whole ses
sion, their per diem allowance was SI4OO each,
being 175 days at $8 per day; but for mileage,
reckoning s'B for every twenty miles, Mr. Barton
charged $939 20, while Mr. Benton charged sl,
344 66. The former estimated the distance by
the great mail route over land, but the latter by
the windings of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.
The contingent expenses ofthe House of rep
resentatives, during the year 1828. the last of Mr.
Adam’s administration amounted tosßo,ooo, and
during 1836, the last year of the administation of
Gen. Jackson, they were increased to $200,000,
and in 1837, the first year of Mr. Van Buren, the
amount was $201,000, Mr. Ct.'.nbei ling, a mem
ber of the committee reported that’by a system of
reform instituted by the executive officers, at least
one-third of the number of clerks in the depart
ments might be reduced with safety to the public
interest. Now in the state department in 1828,
including the patent office, the whole number of
clerks was sixteen : tbe salary compensation of
the Secretary , and all his clerks and messengers,
amounted to 827,750, The whole number of
clerks now employed in the state departments aud
the patent office is forty. The joint salary and
compensation amount to $56,515
The patent office, in 1828, was managed by a
superintendent, with a salary of $1,500, and two
clerks and a messenger, whose joint compensa
tion was $3,700. It is row under the charge of
one ofthe reformers; the title of“. Superinte
ndent” is exchanged for that of “Commissioner,”
and with the change of titles comes the change of
salary from 1,500 to $3 000 I The number of
clerks is increased from two to twenty-four, and
the compensation from 1,800 to 21,000; and not
content with one messenger, and Lis olcl salary of
8400. they provide a salary of SB4O for a messen
ger, arid then give him an assis'taut, to w hom is al
so paid sls per month.
'Die Secretary of the Treasury, in the year 1823
employed eight clerks and two messengers. His
salary, and the compensation of the clerks and
messengers, amount to $18,600.
The present Secretary of that Department em
pires fifteen clerks, ami two messengers. Hissal
aiy and their compensation amount to $27,100.
Next as to the War Department. In 1828, the
Secretary of War employed a chief clerk, be
sides seventeen clerks aud two messengers. His