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* CfKnmittee o* inquire into the Executive Departm^s, &c. Jan. -23d, JgTT : <= Tke^^onowin^ resolutions were adopted, and the Chairman directed to furnish the President of the United States with a copy of the same : Reso!ved,^Fhat the President of the United States be requested, and the heads of the several Executive Departments be directed, t-> furni>h this committee with a list or lists of all officers, <^r agents, or deputies, who have been appointed or employed, and paid, since the 4th of March, 1829. to the 1st December Lst, if any, without authority of law, or whose names are not contained in the last printed register ef public officers-, commonly called the J Blue Book, by the President or either of the | said heads of department respectively, and i without nomination to, or the advice and con- ! sent of the Senate of the United States; show- ; tng the names of such officers, agents or de- j Duties ; the sums paid to each; the services rendered, and by what authority appointed and paid, and what reasons for such appoints m?nts. . I Resolved, That the various Executive offi- I ce:s in replying to the foregoing resolution, be requested at the same time to furnish a state mentofthe period at which any innovations not authorized by law, if such exist, had their origin; their causes,' and the necessity which has required their continuance. Attest, B. F. HALLETT, Clerk. T5JEP RESIDENTS LETTER TO THE COM- ! MITTEE. W ashisotoh City, Jan. 26, 133/ . Sik : I received, jon the evening of the 24th instant your Ietir covering a" copyol certain resolutions purporting to have ?*n adopted by a committee of the Houge o p reserrtatives, of which von are the chairman, ami request that yoa will lay tefore '^at c0?" raittee this my reply,1 I hasten to make. h appear* bv the ppi&ed proceedings of the House of R.. JJ-dW comm.ttee of which vou are chaip?an was appointed on your motion T*e resolution offered by you, and finally adopted by the House, raised a direct issue with that part of my annual mess^e in which I held the following language : "Be fore concluding this paper, I think it due to the various Executive Departments to bear testimony to their prosperous condition, and to the ability and integrity with which they have bern conducted. It has been my aim to en force in all of them a vigilant and faithful dis charge of the public bus:ness ; and it is gratifying to me to believe that there is no just cause of complaint, from any quarter, at the manner in which they have fulfilled the object of their creation." Your resolution is i a the following words : " Resolved, That so much of the President's message as relates to i the condition of the various Executive De- j partments, the ability and integrity with which they have been conducted* the vigilant and | faithful discharge of the publie business in all ot them, and the causes- of complaint, from any quarter, at the manner in which they have fulfilled the objects of their creation,' be referred to a select committee, to consist of Binejneoibers, with power to send for persons and papers, and with instructions to enquire into the condition of the various Executive Departments, 'the ability and integrity with which tbey feeen couducted, into tne manner in winch the public business has been discharged in all of them, and into all causes of complaint, from any quarter, at the manner in which said Departments, or their bureaus or offices, or any of their officers, or agents of every description whatever, directly or indirectly connected with them in any manner, officially or unofficially, in duties pertaining to the nubfe interest, have, fulfilled or failed to accomplish the objects of their creation, or hate violated their duties; or have injured and impaired the. public service and interest, and ?hatsaid committee, ia its inquiries may refer to such periods of time as $ them may seem expedient and proper." It ako appears, from the published proceedings of the House, that tiiis resolution was accompanied and supported by a speech of considerable length, m which yoa preferred many severe but vague charges of corruption and abuse in the Executive Departments. The resolutions ad opted by the committee, as well as that adopted by the House itself, must be taken in connection with your introductory speech, which gives a character to the whole proceeding. W hen thus regarded, it is obvious that, by the reso lution of the House, an issue is made with the President of tbe United States, as be had alleged, in his annual message, that the heaus of the Executive Departments had performed their official duties with ability and integrity, in your soeech vou denied this ; you charged them with manifold corruptions and abuses ot tmst as you bad done in former speeches, to which vou referred ; and you demanded an investigation through the medium of a com mittee. Certain other members of Congress, as appears bv the public debates, united* with you in these accusations ; and for the purpose of ascertaining their truth or falsehood, the committee vou demanded was ordered to be raised, and yon were placed at its head. 1 he Srst proceeding of the investigating committee is to pass a series of resolutions which, thoug amended in their passage, were, as understood, introduced by you, calling on the President an4 the heads of Departments; not to answer to any specific charge ; not f o explain any attest abuse ; not to give information as to ww particular transaction ; but, assuming that tftev have been guilty of the charges alleged, calls upon tuarn^o furnish evidence against themselves I After the reiterated charges you ha\ e made, it was to have been expected that you would have been prepared to reduce them to specifi. cations, and that the. committee would thai proceed to investigate the matters aileged. But, instead of this you resort to generalities even more vague than your original accusa tions, and in open violation of the Constitu tion ; and of that well-established and wise maxim "that all men are presumed to be inno cent until proven guilty, according to the esta blished rules of law," you request myself and the heads of ihe Departments to become our own accusers, and to furnish tne evidence to convict ourselves; and this call purports to be founded on the authority of that body in which alone, by the Constitution, the power ot im peaching us is vested ! The heads of depart ments may answer such a request ai they pHise, provided they d> not withdraw their owa time, aad that of the officers under their jjrectian, frmn me public business to the ininry thereof. To that, I shall direct them U devote themselves, in preference to any Illegal and unconstitutional calls, tor infor- ; tnaSon, no matter from what source it | com-, or however anxiovs they may bo S Let it For mvselt, I shall repel all such St^Dts as an invasion of the principles o I fcStSSTas well as of the Constitution; and I ihaTestae* it my sacred duty to the peope ofthe Carted States to resist them as I would t_i* l. .t (af n Soanish inouisition. ^IfSeralUh'1' severe accusations contained | ciates, and every other mrmber of Congress who has made the g neral charge of corrup rupiion, to testify before God and our country whether you or they know of any specific corruption or abuse of trust, in tiie Executive Departments ; and if so, what it is. It you ; are able to point to any case where there is j the slightest reason to expect corruption or i abuse of trust, no obstacle which I can re j move shall be interposed to preuent the ful lest scrutiny by all legal means. The offices j of all the Departments will be opened to you, ! and every proper facility furnished for this i purpose. I hope, sir, we shall at Inst have your charges, and that you will proceed to investi 1 gate them, not I ke an inquisitor but in the accustomed mode. If you either will not make specific accusations, or if, when made, you attempt to establish them by making freeman their own accusers, you will not | exp: ct me to countenance your proceedings. : in the short period which remains of my j official duty, I shall endeavor, as I have here ! tofore endeavored, to fulfil the obligations of : that oath of office, by which I engaged, "to I the best of my ability, to preserve, protect, ; and defend the Constitution of the United | States and for this, and other reasons of I the most solemn character, I shall, on the one ; hand, cause every possible facility, consistent j with law and justice, to be given to the inves I tigaiion of specific, tangible charges; and, : on the other, shall repudiate all attempts to ! invade the just rights of the Executive De ' partments, and of the iifilividuals composing the same. If, after all your clamor, you will i make no specific charges, or bring no proof of such as shall be made, you and your associ ates must be regarded by the good People of the United States as the authors of unfound ed calumnies; aed the public servants whom you have assailed will, in the estimation of all honorable men, stand fully acquitted. In the mran time, I cannot but express my astonishment that members ofCongre.-sshould call for information as to the names of persons to whom contingent moneys are paid, and the object of those payments, when there are six standing committees under the seventy, seventh rule of the House of Representatives, whose special duties are to examine annually into all the details of those expenditures in each of the Executive Departments. The like remark is applicable to some other branch es of the information sought f>y you, ample details in respect to which are to "be found in the reports laid before Congress, and now on your files; and to which I recommend you to have recourse. I am, respectfully, &c. ANDREW JACKSON. To the Hon. Henry A. Wise, Chairman of the Investigating Committee of the abuses and corruptions charged against the Executive Departments. I certify that this is a true copy from the original sent. Test : A. JACKSON, Jr. Private Secretary, &c. SENATE. ? Tuesday January 31, 1837. Petitions and memorials were presented, chiefly of a private nature, by Messrs. Linn, Tipton, Walker, Wright, and Toualinson, and referred. Mr. Davis, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, recommended, in a written report, the postponement of the bill for the employment of boys in the Navy, and the report was ordered to be printed. Mr. Grundy moved the postponement of the order of the day to take up the Land Bill,which was carried. Ayes 20 noes 16. A communication was received from the Department of War, containing a statement of the appropriations and expenditures on ac count of that Department for the year 1836. The Senate then proceeded to the consider ation of the bill te limit the sales of the PUBLIC LANDS. Mr King, of Georgia, addressed the Senate in opposition to the bill ) and had not conclu ded his remarks when our paper went to press. HOUSE OF REPRESONTATIVES. Mr. Alford, member elect from the State of Georgia, was qualified and took his seet. As soon as the journal was read, Mr. Adams questioned a decision of the Speaker yester day in reference to a memorial from the Ken tucky Colonization Society, which had been referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Mr. Adams contended that it should have come under the order of the 18th instant, and be laid on the table, on the ground that colo nization and abolition were identical in their ulterior objects. A number of bills were reported, of which the following only were of a public character. By Mr. Connor ? to provide for the erec tion of a building for the Post Office Depart ment. By Mr. Coles ? for an increase of the United States Army, for its re-organization, &c. By Mr. Smith? the "harbor bill." By Mr. Howard ? the bill from the Senate to carry into effect the Convention with Spain, with amendments. All of wh.ch bills were twice read, and committed. Mr. Bell's motion for leave to introduce a bill to szcure the freedom of elections, then came up in its order, and Mr. B. addressed the House at length on the subject. SENATE. ? Wednesday February 1. 1837. Petitions were presented by Messrs. Kent, Tomlinson, Wall, and Linn and referred. A res lution of the Legislatnre of Illinois was presented by Mr. Robinson, asking au* thority to exchange the school fund lands. A communication was received from the Secretary of the Navy, with a statement' of the appropriations made for and expended by that Department during the year 1836, and the amount of unexpended balances on the 31st of December last. B lis for the relief of Samuel White ? set tling the compensation of the judges of the district courts of the United States ? appoint ing certain persons as a tribunal to test im provements made to prevent the bursting of steam-boilers. A memorial was presented by the chair from Win. Brent, jr., complaining of the election of fourelectors of President in Virginia, who were disqualified by the constitution. Also, a me morial from sundry persons complaining of the mode of appointing electors in the State of South Carolina as unconstitutional. Laid on the table on the motion of Mr. Grundy. A resolu'ion was offered by Mr. Hubbard fixing the hour of the meeting of the Senate at 11, instead of 12 o'clock, after Saturday j next. The resolution presented some days since by Mr. Nicholas, calling upon the Secretary of the Treasury to communicate to the Senate any information in his possession going to ex pose the frauds committed in the sales of the | public lands in Louisiana, was, on the motion ; of Mr. Clay, amended so as to embrace the abuses practiced in other sections of the coun try. The resolution as amended was adopt ed. The Senate then proceeded to the consider ation of the bill to limit tbc sales of the PUBLIC LANDS. The bill being in committee of the whole is open amendment ; and various amendments were proposed. When the bill shall have been reported, we shall give its leading1 provi sions. At presents it is impos^ibleto say with accuracy what will be its ultimate form. HOUSE OE REPRESENTATIVES. Several reports and bills of a private nature were made from the standing cemmittees. Mr. Everett, from the Committee on In dian Affairs, reported a bill for the protection and security ofthe Indians to the west of Ark. ansas, and in other places. The unfinished business of yesterday then ca me up, which was the bill of Mr. Bell for se curing the freedom of elections. Mr. Graves addressed the House in favor of | the principles of the bill. A message from the Senate was received requiting the appointment of a committee to unite with a committee ofthe Sena'e, and to inquire whether any electoral votes for the President have been given contrary to the pro visionj of the constitution, and to provide a remedy against such abuses for the future. The appropriations for the Indian Depart ment then came^ up, and Mr. Cushing ad dressed the House at length on the subject of our Indian relations. Mr. Cushing was fol lowed by Mr. Everett. Mr* Parker addressed the House in oppo*? sition to the bill, and moved to recommit the bill to the Committee ot Ways and Means that it might be reported, and the appropriation! assume a more specific shape. Mr. Lawler was opposed to the recommit ment. There could bo no mistake as to the objects to which the appropriations were to be applied. SENATE. ? Thursday Feb. 2, 1887. The Hon. Mr. Mouton, Senator elect from the State of Louisiana, appeared, was qualifi ed, and took his seat. Mr. Clay presented an address of certain authors in Great Britain, praying for the pas sage of a law securing to them copy-rights for* their works. The list of signer.-?, embraced very many of the distinguished authors in Great Britain. Mr. Clay mnde some remarks explanatory and in favor of the address, and moved that it be printed and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. Preston seemed to have some doubt as to the expediency and constitutionality of the proposed measure. He threw out some suf^estions, reserving to himself the right of going more fully into the subject hereafter. ? He stated that the American publishers were opposed to the proposition, and that he had received various communications upon the subject, from some of them, expressive of their hostility to the measure. Mr. Grundy, without expressing an opin ion on the merits of the memorial, hoped that the address would not be referred to the Com mittee on the Judiciary, which was already charged with as much business as they could attend to. He suggested a select committee. Mr. Clay made some remarks m reply to Mr. Preston, and said he was willing that the address might take any direction, as to the committee, which the Senate thought pro per. Mr. Buchanan thought that the subject was full of difficulty. He spoke a short time in regard to the probable effect of the proposed measure. Mr. Clay then withdrew his motion to re fer the address to the Committee on the Judi ciarv ; and on the motion of Mr. Grundy, it was referred to a select committee, compos ed of Messrs, Clay, Preston, Buchanan, E wing, of Ohio, and Webster. Mr. Kent presen ed sundry resolutions from the Legislature of Maryland, praying that the Federal Government would interest itself in procuring a reduction of the duties on tobac co in the ports of foreign nations, and other pu -poses. The resolutions were read and ordered to be printed. Mr. Hendricks presented a memorial from the Legislature of Indiana, asking for appro priations for the improvement of the ports and harbors on the southern coast of Lake Mich*K can. Ordered to be printed, and referred to the Committee on Commerce. Bills reported. ? To establish navy rations and other purposes, with amendments ; and for the relief of Ann S. Hieleman, widow of Major Hieleman, were read a first time and ordered to a second reading. Mr. Calhoun presented a resolution call ing on the Secretary of the Treasury to report tolhe Senate the aggregate amount of expen sed ncurred in collecting the revenues on the lakes, including the expenses for light houses, revenue cutters, appropriations for harbors, &c. &c. ? Agreed to. The Senate then proceeded to the consider ation of the bill to limit the sale of the PUBLIC LANDS. The bill being still open to amendments, va- ] rious propositions were proposed to amend, which were under consideration when our paper went to press. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Several reports of committees, and some bills of a private nature'were presented to the House and acted on. Mr.1 Sutherland, from the Committee of Commerce, reported a resolution requiring that the Secretary ofthe Navy to report to the next Congress a system of telegraphs. Mr. Reed, of Massachusetts, asked leave to introduce a resolution authorizing the con struction of six sloops of war; objected to? motk>n to suspend the rules not carried. Mr. M'Keon, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, reported a bill to abolish the protection given to American seamen; committed to a Committee of the whole House. Mr. Cambrbleng moved that the House take up the appropriation bill; objection was made, and Mr. Cambreleng then moved that the rules be suspended, and on this the yeas and nays were called. Mr. Sutherland moved to amend the mo* tion by including the harbor bill, and the light house bill. . Messrs. Mercer and Jarvis both moved amendments, which were rejected. Mr. Claiborne moved to add the land bill. Mr. Owens moved the previous question, which was seconded, and on the main question being put, it was decided in the negative, there not being two thirds in favor of it 113 to 74. Bv general consent, on motion of Mr. Cam breleng, the two engrossed bills containing the appropriation for the Indian Department were taken up, and Mr. Grennell and Mr. Alford addressed the House. The latter gentleman was on the floor when our paper weut to press. Senate. ? Friday, Ftb. 3, 1837. Bills were reported for the appropriation of certain sums of money to improve thb port of Pensacola ; to exempt from duty iron im ported for rail roads under certain conditions ; to sanction sundry acts o? the Legislative Council of Wisconsin Territory ; incorpora ting certain banks, under certain conditions ; to suspend the navy hospital tax for one year, with amendments ; for the relief of the heirs of Henry Eckford i for the rdief of Andrew Forrest ; for the relief of Hannah Smith ; were severally read a first time and ordered to a second reading. Mr. Davis from the committee on Com merce, reported a bill and resolutions propo^ sing to substitute the navy hospital tax, by charging the amount of tax, $150,000, upon the Treasury of the United States. Mr. Calhoun, after hearing the resolutions read, said that he was decidedly opposed to the whole subject. Its tendency was to in crease the prevailing disease of the Govern ment, the accumulation of patronage and pow er in the hands of the Central Government. This was the commencement of a system which would lead no one knew to what ex cess of patronage. He was solemnly im pressed with the necessity of curtailing patronage, to arrest the tendency of all mea sures to increase the central power. This Government was already surcharged with patronage, and it must be diminished ; and he now entered his solemn protest against the system proposed bv the bill. It is a propo sition to change the old system, and tends directly to the increase of the corrupting pa tronage and power of this Government. Why should the Government pay the expenses of one class of men rather than another ? Shall commerce and navigation be taken in favor, while other interests are left to their own resources? Why not pay the dociors bills for the rice-growers, and cotton planters, as well as the class engaged in navigation ? He was opposed to all such schemes. It was lime to halt. The patronage and corruptions of the Government were rapidly undermining our liberties and it is time to provide for our security, by cutting off the fdtal causes of corruption *nd despotism. After some remarks by Mr. Davis in reply, the bill and resolutions were ordered to be printed. A bill from the House making appropria tions for expenses of the Indian department for the current year, was read a fiist and second time, and referred to the committee on Indian affairs. Also, a bill making appropri ations for the support of the army for the ycir 1887, referred to the committee on Finance. The Senate then proceeded to the conside ration of the special order of the da v ? the amendment proposed by Mr. Whiie, of Ten*? nessce, being under consideration. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Reports from several committees were re ceived and disposed of. Mr. Reed asked leave to introduce a reso lution from the committee on Naval Affairs authorising the construction of six sloops of war. Mr. Philips asked leave of the House to offer a resolution requesting of tne Executive information relating to the exploring expe dition. The rule was suspended. Mr. Robertson moved an amendment as a substitute, which Mr. Philips accepted. Mr. Robertson's resolution embraced a request for information, as to the conveyance of Santa Anna to Mexico in a public vessel. Not car ried. The resolution was then adoptpd. The Speaker laid before the House a com munication from the Secretary of War, con taining a survey of James River ; referred to the committee on Commerce. The House then proceeded to the private orders of the day. The House took up the joint resolution granting a pension to the widow of Commo- J dore Decatur. Mr. Washington moved an amendment, al lowing her the arrearage of the pension. Mr. Hardin made a mo'.ion to strike out, so as to render the pension liable to the debts of Commodore Decatur. Mr. Washington addressed the House in favor of the amendmeut proposed by him, and in opposition to that of Mr. Hardin. Mr. Washington modified his amendment, so as to invest the arrearage of half pay in the Secretary of the Treasury for the use of Mrs. Decatur. Mr. Whittlesey moved that the whole sub ject be committed to the committee on Naval Affairs. A debate took pl^ce, which was going on when our paper went to pres?. SENATE. ? Feb. 6th 1837. * Abolition Petitions. ? Yesterday may be regarded as a kind of jubilee of the abo litionists, both Houses of Congress being engaged nearly the whole of the day in the discussion of the questions growing out of the incendiary petitions. We shall confir.e our selves to a brief outline of the proceedings, for it would require more space than we can spare to go fully into the detail. ? The subject is one of the deepest interest to the South, and its attention is direct ed with much solicitude to the currents of events, both in aud ont of Congress, in relation to it. We regret, much regret, that we cannot give all that was said on both sid?>s, for we feel assured that both sections would be benefitted by a perusal of the whole pro ceedings as they occurred. The tone, the temper, the spirit of what was said and done, are, of course, lost to the reader ? we can only present the less interesting, because merely argumentative p 'ints of difference in volved in the debate. The discussion from the beginning to the end was of the most animated character ? and we have never lis tened to a debate in Congress with more ab sorbing solicitude. The subject u as introduced in the Senate early in the day, by the presentation of a petition from sundry citizens of Indiana, by Mr. Tipton, one of the Senators from that State. He expressed himself decidedly op posed to the prayer of the petitioners ; and farther declared that he did not believe that Congress had the right to interfere with sla very, either in the States or the District of Columbia. He felt himself, however, bound to present the petition, and moved its refer ence to the Committee on the District of Columbia. Mr. Calhoun read one of the rules of the Senate, which required that all petitions, before the reception, should be moved and seconded by those who presented them. He, therefore, objected to the leception but upon a compliance with the rule. In this he was sustained by the Chair ; and in order to save time, Senators who held petitions were called upon to present them together. This was done, and they came in 4 fast and furious " The question then arose as to the right of petition on this subject, and the obligation to receive them on the part of Congress. Messrs. Ewing, of Ohio, Morris, Tipton, and others maintained that the refusal to receive them encroached on the right of petition, and at the same time tended to increase the excitement about abolition in the free States, by uniting the advocates of the right of peti tion and the abolitionists, on grounds of ex pediency and constitutionality ; therefore they urged the reception and reference of the pe titions. Mr. Calhoun denied that any body of men had the right to force their petitions on this subject on Congress ? and proved, from the very Ianguageof the rule of the Senate, which he had read, as well a? from the nature of the 1 subject, and the character of the body, that it had the right to reject the petitions. He was followed by Mr. Bayard, a Senator worthy of his own great and fearless and irrejrroachable name, in an argument at once clear and conclusive, that the refusal to receive did, by 110 means, con flict with the right of petition. The constitu tion had provded that Congress should pass no law to ,4 prohibit the people from peaceably assembling together to petition for a redress of grievances ." This was all that the constitu tion said upon the subject. And did any man propose to pass such a law ? No. The peo ple had a right to petition ? arising not from the constitution, but from the very nature of the Government. But it was for Congress to say whether it would receive, entertain, dis cuss, grant or reject the prayer of these peti* tions. This did by no means conflict with the right of petition. He was anxious to see all discussion on these dangerous and exciting topics cut off. For that reason he moved to lay the motion to receive on the table. After some further observations, this motion was carried ?Ayes 31 ? noes 13. Mr. Davis of Massachusetts, who was not in his seat when the petitions had been pre sented, ofleied those in his possession, which were disposed of as the otiiers had been ; and here we hoped tho matter would have stopped. But it was otherwise decreed. Mr. Morris, of Ohio, rose and offered an- j ether petition, which had been overlooked in ! the first instance ; and upon this the whole question came up again, and was discussed with great warmth, until 5 o'clock, P. M. Mr. Morris took the grounds that Congress was bound to receive the petitions ; and was sustained by Messrs. Tiplon, Wall, Webster. Ewing, of Ohio, and Southard, and opposed by Messrs. Calhoun, Preston, Bayard, and Cuthbert. Mr. Rives also spoke several times with great warmth against Mr. Calhoun, but we could not understand distinctly whether in favor of reception or against it. ?A conflict of opinion between him and Mr. Calhoun oc curred, which we shall notice hereafter. Mr. Calhoun several times addressed the Senate with more than his usual force, perspi cuity and power. He avowed his determina tion to act. upon the principle that corruption was not the mode in which aggressions was to be met. He would mee0the enemy on the frontiers, and dispute every inch of ground with him. He called for the read-ng of two petitions as samples of the whole, and dwelt wirh great ?'arneslness on the insulting man ner in which the southern people were treat ed in them. Their whole sociaWsystem was held u > as abominable in the sight of God and man, an outrage^on all laws, human and divine. He all ided, in tones of the deepest and most solemn pathos, to the ^-reat change which had taken place in the character of the coun try, and es|?ecially of the South. He drew a picture of the pursuits of a people, utterly absorbed in the accumulation of rrumey, pros tituting the noblest faculties of the soul to the ignoble aims of filthy lucre, while their rights, liberties and honor were left without defence, to the mercy of their enemies. He held up the ho_rid demon of Avarice, and de voted him to the infernal Gods. He took a view of the domestic institutions of the South, contrasted them with those of the North, and of all other free States on the globe ? defended their moral, social and political tendencies ? and declared his willingness to shed the last drop of his blood in defence of them. Mr. Preston also mingled in the debate, with that fervor of feeling, and power of elo quence, which all who have heard must feel, | but none faithfully describe, He levelled h.s remarks particularly at the principles avowed by Judge Southard, who had expressed a de^ sire to separate the question of abolition from that of the power of Congress to suppress the slave trade in the District and between the States. He showed conclusively, that the effect of both was the same, and that either must inevitably lead to the dissolution .of the Union, and other unnamed and unnumbered horrors. Messfs. Cutbbert and Bayard followed ; the former in defence of the institutions and character of the southern States, which he vindicated with great warmth, the latter hi support of the views he had already taken upon the right of petition, and the power of Congress in regard to the subject. He depre cated the discussion of such exciting topics ? showed its dangerous ter.dency, and trusted that this petition would tak<> the same direc tion with the others. For his spirited and patriotic course, he deserves the gratitude of evciy southern bosom ? of every man in the Union. The questiou was finally taken, and the petition was doomed to follow the course of its predecessors ? yeas 32, nays 15. We have but given a sketch of what passed. There were episodes which we have not noticed, in which Messrs. Rives, Calhoun, and Webster* bore aprominent part. Mr.Rives's course must condemn him for ever in the estimation of the people whom he represents. We cannot dsmiss this subject without a gain warning the slaveholding States against the apathy which has taken possession of them. The future is full of danger, and their united ceaseless exertions are nece^ary to arrest the tide that is setting in against them. Could they have th s day heard the spirit-stirring ap peals, the profound less <ns of wisdom, as they fell from the lips of Mr. Calhoun they would furgct their miserable speculaiions%\.hc'\T engros sing pursuit of gain, and app'y themselves to the only means of securing themselves against the impending evils. They would no longer fold their hands as idle spectators of the scene, I but would ri.-e in every part, on mountain, hill, and plain, to assert their rights, and to tell these invaders to stand back at the peril of their own lives. They would strengthen the hands of those who, almost alone, as.>a led, ca lumniated and denounced, have, under every disheartening circumstance nobly and honora bly devoted themselves to the maintainance of their honor, their liberties, and their lives. ? Telegraph. SENATE. ? Wednesday February 8, 1837. Mr. Webster presented a petition signed by fifteen hundred merchants of the city of New York, praying for the establishment of a national bank in that city. Mr. Webster stated .he signers were among the most res pectable in the country, and included person? of ail political parties, and accompanied the petition with some remarks in favor of the prayer of the petitioners. The Senate then adjourned to the Hall of Representatives, to hear the votes for Presi dent and Vice President counted. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. On motion of Mr. Anthony a message was sent to the Senate. The members of the Senate entered the ! Hall, preceded bv the Sergeant^at- Arms of the two Houses, and took seats at the right of the Speaker's chair which had been assigned them. The President of the Senate, who presided over the two Houses when acting in conjunc tion, then rose and said, that the two Houaes now being assembled, they would proceed to the discharge of the duty for which they had met together. Mr. Grundy, on the part of the Senate, tad Messrs. Lincoln and Thomas, were appoint* ed Tellers, and proceeded lo read the returns. After the returns had been read by the Tel? lers the President of the Senate announced tb* result, which was as follows : FOR PRE8IDENT. For Martin Van Buren, 170 votes, including the three votes of Michigan; ILL. White# 26 votes ; Daniel Webster, 14 votea ; Willi# P. Mangum, 11 votes. The President of the Senate then declared ' Martin Van Buren to be duly elec.'ed Preaident of the United States, for the four years subse quent to the 4th of March next. FOR VICE PRESIDENT. For R. M. Johnson, 147 votrs ? without the votes of Michigan, 144 ; Francis Granger, 77; John Tyler, 47 ; William Smith, of Ala bama, 23. _ There not beii.g a majority of the whole number of votes, the President declared that there had been no election by the Electoral Colleges of a Vice President, and that coote* quently the duty ot electing that officer would ! devolve on the Senate of the United State** SENATE. ? Thursday , February 9, 1837. . On motion of Mr. Grundy, the Senate adopted a resolution ordered the Secretary lo inform the House of Representative* that, in obedience tj the provisions of the constitution, the Senate had elected Mr. Richard Johnson Vice President of the United Stst* es, for four years, from and after the 4th of March next. I MESSAGE IN RELATION TO MEXICO In Senate, February 7, 1837* The following message was received from the President of the United States, through Mr. Jackson, his private Secretary: To Ike Senate of the United States: At the beginning of this session, Congress was informed that our claims upon Mexico had not been adjusted, but that, not withstands <hig the irritating effect upon her councils of the movements in Texas, I hoped, by great forbearance, to avoid the necessity of again bringing the subject of them to your notice. That hope has b.-en d ia p pointed. Having in vain urged upon that government the justice of those claims, and my indespensable obligation to insist that there should be ?? no further delay in the acknowledgment, if not in the redress of the injures complained of," my duty re quires that the whole subject should be pre* sented, as it now is, for the action ofCongrest,. whose exclusive right it is to decide on the further measures of redress to be employed The length of time since some of the injuries' have been committed, the repeated and una vailing application for redress, the * wanton* character of some of the outrages upoo the property and persons of our citizens, upon the officers and flag of tfie Unired States, indepen dent of recent insnlts to this Government an4 people by the iate Extraordinary Mexican* Minister, would jusr.ify, in the eyes of sll nations, immediate war. That remedy, how ever, should not be used by just and generous nations, confiding in their strength for inju ries committed, if it can be honorably avoided;* and it has occurred to me that considering the present embarrassed condition of that country, we shoul I act with both wisdom and moderation, by giving to Mexico one more op? portunity to atone for the past, before we take redress inio our own hands. To avoid all misconception on the part, of Mexico, as well as to protect our own nation** al character from reproach, this, opportunity should be given, with the avowed design and full preparation to take immediate satisfaction if.it should not be obtained on a repetition of the demand for it. To thisend 1 recommend tnat an act be passed authorising reprisals, and the use of the naval fores of the United States by the Executive against Mexico, to enforce them, in the event of a refusal by the Mexican Government, to come to an amicablo adjust ment of the mattersin controversy between us, upon another demand thereof made from on board one of our vessels of war on the coast of Mexico, The documents herewith transmitted, with, those accompanying my message in answer to a call of the of Represeutativet of the 17lh ultimo, will enable Congress to judge* of the property of the course heretofore pursu ed, and 10 deciie upon the necessity of that now recommended. If these views should fail to meet the con^ currence of Congress, and that body be able to find in the condition of the affairs between the two countries, as disclosed by the accom~ panying documents with those raferred to, any wdl-groonded reasons to hope that an adjufU ment of the controversy between them can be effected without a resort to the measures 1 have felt it my duty to recommend, they may be assured of my co operation in any other course that shall be deemed honorable and pro* per. ANDREW JACKSON IN SENATE. ? February 9th, 1837. Mr. Calhoun said : I have received, within the last forty-eight hours, a communication from the Chief Magistrate, connected with the bill now before the Seriate, of such a nature that duty to myself, as well as o this body, renders it necessary that I should lav it before the Senate. [Here Mr. C sent to the Secretary the let Mr, which was read as follows : ] Washington, Feb. 7th, 1837. Sir: In the Globe of < he 6th inst. I find the fepoit of a speech made by you on the 4th upon the land bill, which contains the following passages, vi* ; "Was it not notorious that the President of the United Slates himself had been connected with the purchase of ihe public lands ? Yes, the "experiment" (Mr. Calhoun delighted in the word) was the cause of speculation in public lands, and if this bill sboold not be passed, speculations could not go on, and the price of the public lands must consequently be re duced. He contended that every man cotiid not bat see that it wonld be utter ruin to those who bad bs*? rowed money to speculate in lands, if thesysism wee not to go/on. ' In a former part of your speech, as re ported, you say: "The speculation which a particu lar slate of things had given ns? to, had been pro duced by those in power. They had profited br that state of things ; and should this bill be passed, it would only consummate their wishes," ccc.&e &?: Knowing the liabilities of reporters to err in taking down and writing out the speeches of members er Congress, 1 h ve made enauiry in relation Jq the a? curracy of this report, and nave been furnished with certificates of gentlemen who heard you, affirming tha? it is substantially correct. You cannot but be aware, sir; that theimpnlattaas which your language conveys are calculated, if be lieved, to destroy my character as a man, and that the charge is one which, if true, ought to produce m v impeachment and punishment as a public officer. If 1 caused the removal of the deposites for the bate purj>oseof enriching myself or my friends by any of the results which might grow out of that measure, there is no term of repn?ach which I do not deserve, and no punishment known to the laws which oaght hot to be inflicted upon me. On the contrary, if the whole imputation, both as> to motive and fact^be a fab rication & a calumny, t lie punishment which belongs to me, if guilty, is too mild lor him who v* ilfuily makes I am aware, sir, of the eonstituiional privilege un der which this imputation is ca>t forth, and ihe im muniry which it secures. That privilege it is in n<> degree my purpose to violate, however gross and wicked may have been the abuse orit. But I exer cise only the common right of every citizen, when I inform you, that the imputations you hava rast up on me are false in every particular, pot having for the last ten years purchased any puhlk> land, or had any interest in such purchase. The whole charge, unleas explained, must be considered the offspring of a mor bid imagination or of skepless malice. 1 ask yon, sir, as an act due to justice, honor and truth, to retract this charge on the floor of the Senate,