Virginia Free Press

CONGRESS

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

FRIDAY, APRIL 4.

Mr. McDuffie concluded an eloquent and animated speech, in opposition to the report of the Committee of Ways and Means

Mr. Mason, of Virginia, then moved the Previous question, which was sustained—thus cutting off Mr. Wilde's amendment, declaring the Secretary's reasons insufficient and unsatisfactory.

We have not room for all the details—but copy the main points from the National Intelligencer.

The Previous Question was put as follows:

"Shall the Main Question now be put?" And decided by Yeas and Nays, as follows.—Yeas 114, Nays 107.

So the House determined that the Main Question should now be put.

The Main Question was then put, viz: Will this House concur with the Committee of Ways and Means in the resolutions reported by them to this House?

Mr. Wilde demanded that the question should be divided, so as to take a vote separately on each resolution.

It was decided accordingly: and put, first, upon concurring in the first of the resolutions reported, VIZ:

"Resolved. That the Bank of the United States ought not to be rechartered."

The question was decided by yeas and nays as follows: Yeas 135, Nays 82.

So the House concurred in the first Resolution

The second resolution was then read as follows:

"2. Resolved. That the public deposites ought not to be restored to the Bank of the U. States."

And decided by yeas and nays as follows. Yeas 119, Nays 104.

The third resolution was then agreed to, as follows, by Yeas and Nays,—Yeas 119. Nays 105.

The following is the third resolution:

"3. Resolved, That the State Banks ought to be continued as the places of deposite of the public money, and that it is expedient for Congress to make further provision by law, prescribing the mode of selection, the securities to be taken, and the manner and terms on which they are to be employed."

The Fourth was then read as follows:

"4. Resolved, That for the purpose of ascertaining, as far as practicable, the cause of the commercial embarrassment and distress complained of by numerous citizens of the United States, in sundry memorials which have been presented to Congress at the present session, and of inquiring whether the charter of the Bank of the United States has been violated, and also what corruptions and abuses have existed in its management; whether it has used its corporate power or money to control the press, to interfere in politics, or influence elections, and whether it has had any agency through its management or money, in producing the existing pressure, a select committee be appointed to inspect the books and examine into the proceedings of the said Bank, who shall report whether the provisions of the charter have been violated or not, and also what abuses, corruptions, or malpractices, have existed in the management of said Bank, and that the said committee be authorised to send for persons and papers, and to summon and examine witnesses on oath, and to examine into the affairs of the Bank and Branches; and they are further authorised to visit the principal Bank, or any of its Branches, for the purpose of inspecting the books, correspondence, accounts, and other papers connected with its management or business; and that the said committee be required to report the result of such investigation, together with the evidence they may take, at as early a day as practicable."

And decided by Yeas and Nays as follows:—

Yeas 174, Nays 41.

So the House concurred in the Fourth Resolution.

Mr. Polk moved that the Committee consist of seven members; which was agreed to.

Mr. Wilde asked consent to offer a 5th resolution, declaring the reasons offered by the Secretary insufficient and unsatisfactory.

Objection being made, he moved to suspend the rules.

Mr. Polk thereupon moved to adjourn. On this Mr. Wilde demanded the Yeas and Nays, which were taken as follows—Yeas 123, Nays 70.

So the House, at half past seven, adjourned to Monday.