Jeffersonian Republican

JEFFERSONIAN REPUBLICAN

FROM WASHINGTON

Correspondence of the North American

Washington, Aug. 5, 1841.

We had quite an amusing scene in the Senate this morning. Mr. Benton presented the proceedings of a meeting held in one of the counties of Virginia, in which the subject of a National Bank was discussed much at large- its dangerous tendency, its unconstitutionality, and its liability to be repealed by any majority of Congress, all figured in bold relief. Mr. Benton concurred in the sentiments of the document. Mr. Archer would not question the respectability of the assemblage, though he had seen a paper printed in the immediate neighborhood which did so, but he protested against any such nullifying doctrines as these going out as the evidence of the feeling of the people of Virginia. A debate sprung up, which Mr. Clay found was likely to consume more of the time of the Senate than was reasonable, and he moved to lay the matter on the table.

Mr. Alabama Clay asked him to withdraw it

Mr. Clay-Indeed I will not.

Mr. Benton went on to denounce the motion to lay on the table, when Mr. Clay peremptorily called him to order.

Mr. Benton, imperturbable gravity, "take down the words," (alluding to a rule of the Senate which requires words out of order to be submitted in writing.)

Mr. Benton was again proceeding, when Mr. Clay rose and said "I call the gentleman to order and insist that he take his seat."

Mr. Benton, still standing-"take down the words."

The Chair said that a motion to lay on the table carried with it the motion to print, which Mr. Benton had previously made. The decision was no doubt erroneous.

Mr. Benton said he would not take his seat until the Chair had decided.

The Chair said it had decided.

Mr. Benton-Then I appeal from the decision.

Mr. Clay-I move to lay the appeal on the table. Here a scene of altercation ensued as to the point of order, which seemed for a moment to threaten the harmony of the body; but it subsided almost as suddenly as it was raised.

Mr. Cuthbert rebuked the Senator from Kentucky for showing passion. Mr. Clay (bowing with great good humor and smiling,) "with great deference to the gentleman, I submit whether the ebullition of passion is not from the other side."

Mr. Clay reported the bill from the House relating to duties and drawbacks, with several amendments. Mr. Buchanan, speaking in sotto voce--I hope there is no soda nor pipe clay in it. Mr. Clay said there was not.

The bill to revise the charters of our District Banks was passed, after Mr. Benton made his last attack-the vote was quite respectable; being 29 to 15.

The Fortification Bill, which has occupied so much time, was at last passed by a vote of 45 to 4. Mr. Calhoun voting in the minority.

The bill which occupied the greater portion of the time of the Senate during a protracted session, was the Navy Pension Bill, which may possibly absorb another day, as no two Senators of either side seem to have any definite idea of it. It was owing to hasty and loose legislation in 1837, that the Navy Pension fund was literally plundered, and finally exhausted. And some Commanders of line-of-battle-ships are now receiving pensions under that act for full disabilities. If there be a greater abuse than that extant; I confess I do not know where to find it.

In the House of Representatives, the Fiscal Bank Bill was under discussion until 11 o'clock at night. The bill, you are aware, comes out of committee to morrow at 12, and that produces great anxiety on the part of speakers to be heard. Another excellent rule to be adopted by the House would be, not to allow any one member to speak more than once on any given subject.

Mr. Adams submitted a resolution, inquiring by what authority any foreign Minister could hold a correspondence with any Secretary or head of a department, on matters before the National Legislature. This has reference to some communication made to the House by the President.

On motion of Mr. Botts it was laid on the table, by a vote of 99 to 79.

We were sitting among others in the gallery of the U. S. Senate, listening to the debate on the Bank bill, when Mr. Calhoun rose, and in reply to some remarks from Mr. Clay, remonstrated with great energy against the establishment of a National Bank. It would interfere, he declared, with our State institutions, and in this interference seemed to lie the great burden of his objections. One would have inferred, from the enthusiasm with which he spoke of State Banks, that they were all sound as a nut, and all paying out the precious coin whenever desired, and most especially that the Banks in the Senator's own State were well stored with specie, and challenging all bill holders to their groaning counters. But this flattering picture was all cruelly dashed by Mr. Smith of Indiana, who, rising in his place, held up a bill which read much as follows: "The Directors of the State Bank of South Carolina promise to pay the bearer twenty-five cents in current money."

South Carolina, her State Bank, and a twenty-five cent shinplaster!! This is the currency which so kindled the admiration of Mr. Calhoun, and over which he seemed to hang with the rapture of a young mother over her first born bud of bliss, and which a National Bank, alas! would destroy! Verily this reminds one of the Indian who refused to change his tomahawk made of a split stick and sharp stone, for one fabricated of good steel,--N. American.