fore, whilst the bill was under consideration, sug-to raise such number of regular troops as might be gested his intention in his place, to make the motion wanted upon a sudden emergency; but in the latter, he had now made; upon which the honorable we should not be able to make the same exhibit.— member expressed a wish to postpone the conside-What then would be the consequence? You would racion of the question, and immediately moved the give a most mortifying proof, that your means were postponement of the bill, which was not opposed, not commensurate to your ends: that your plan and of course prevailed. Mr. A. said, that the mo- had been badly digested, and worse executed. And tion was not therefore made without due notice, and surely the gentleman can have no desire to present he would add without due consideration. He had such a state of things, at the very moment when all consulted with a number of the members of this the energies of the nation seem to be required. Mr. honourable body, for whose judgment and opinions A. said, to avoid this extraordinary exhibit, was he had great respect, and with whose approbation, also one of his objects; and this in his opinion, and he might indeed add, at whose instance, the could be done by taking the course he had contem motion had been made. He was however hitnself plated; reduce the number of regulars, and supply ready and willing to meet all the resposibility that the deficiency by volunteers. This he firmly might attach to it; notwithstanding the surprise of believed was in our power. Combine the two corps; the honourable member as to the question from take nearly an equal number of each; and the ob which it had come. ject intended could be effected. Mr. A. said, he Mr. A. said, he should not pretend to reply to all was convinced that it was the mode the president the various observations the gentleman had thought had contemplated: and he entirely approved it; and proper to make, very many of which he considered if the honorable member had attended to another altogether irrelevant to the question under considera part of the president's message were it speaks of tion, but which might perhaps answer some other volunteers, he must himself have been convinced, purpose which the honourable member might have in view.

that the president did not mean to make the descent upon Canada with the 10,000 regulars only; which Mr. Anderson said, he was as strongly impressed had been understood as the gentleman had stated, with the necessity of a sufficient force, for the inva to be the auxiliary foree referred to in the message. sion of Canada as the gentleman from Virginia The object of the president cannot be better ex could possibly be, and not a single expression had plained than by referring to the message itself. He escaped him to induce a belief that he should be un-says-" I recommend accordingly, that adequate willing to vote a proper and ample force for that provision be made for filling the ranks and prolong. service; but he differed greatly with the gentleman, ing the enlistments of the regular troops; for an as to the kind of force we ought immediately to auxiliary force, to be engaged for a more limited employ The nonorable member appeared to place time; for the acceptance of volunteer corps whose his sole dependence upon regular troops; and yet, patriotic ardour may court a participation in urgent if he understood his argument, he was decidedly inerrices." The manner in which the president favor of making a descent upon Canada early in the speaks of the volunteers can leave no doubt upon the spring As to the time, Mr. A. agreed with him;mind of any one, as to the service in which they but as to the means, he certainly differed very great- were to be employed;-they are evidently intended ly from him. The number of regulars contempla- to be united with the regular troops to perform urted by the gentleman could not possibly be raised gent services, according to the express language of within the time he was therefore of opinion, that the message. Mr. A. would ask the honorable a less number ought to be inserted in the bill. It member, what was the urgent service meant by the should be recollected that we had very recently au president? most certainly a descent upon Canada, thorised the regiments in the peace establishment in which the regulars and volunteers were equally to be filled; they would require at least 6,000 men; to participate. Why then the hon. member had taken add thereto 25,000 more, the number proposed by so much pains to prove that the 10,000 regulars the honourable member; and he would ask him to were the only military force with which the president answer candidly, whether he really believed that so had intended to perform the urgent service referred great a number troops could be enlisted within the to in his message, Mr. A. was at a loss to compretime required for the service to be performed. Mr. hend; for he understood the message, and objects A. said, impressed, as he was, with a firm belief, of it very differently; and he should have expected that not more than half the number proposed by the that the candor of the hon. member would have hon. member could be enlisted within the time they induced him to have given the message a fair intermust take the field, in order to act efficiently against pretation. That he had not done so must be supCanada, he could not see the propriety of retaining posed to proceed from his recent, but very strong the whole number contemplated by the bill. Mr. attachment to a regular military force. However A. said it must be well known to every gentleman, anti-republican this doctrine had formerly been, it that the invasion of Canada must necessarily take seemed now to be viewed through a different mediplace before the breaking up of the ice in the river um by the hon. member from Virginia. Mr. A. St. Lawrence; otherwise, twice 25,000 would be said, that having, as he thought, proved by a fair required; because large reinforcements, as soon as interpretation of the president's message, that he an opportunity presented, would most certainly be intended to unite the volunteers, (that might be thrown into that country. Mr. A. said, upon a fair thought requisite) with the regular troops, to perview of the whole subject, as it presented itself to form the urgent services of which he speaks, he would him, he was decidedly of opinion that the number endeavor to present a fair and impartial view of of regular troops to be raised by that bill, ought not the course recommended by the president, and to exceed 16,000, and he had no hesitation in say-compare it with the course which had been taken ing that in his opinion, as efficient a force would be and so strenuously supported by the hon. member raised under such a provision within the time limited from Virginia. The president had recommended for taking the field, as would be raised were the present the raising of volunteers: and it was incidentally number in the bill retained-and in the former case, made known, that the auxiliary force spoken of, we should prove to our enemies, that we were able was 10,000 regular troops. If then provision had

been immediately made by law for raising 10,000 teers, as upon the newly raised regular troops. The regular troops, and also for raising volunteers, those volunteers could have the same chance of discipline troops now would be in a state of preparation; a that the new regulars would have. A sufficient considerable number of regular troops would ere now number of those who offered their services, might have been enlisted, and the chance of getting the be called into the field, as carly as the season would whole number greatly increased. If time had been admit, and placed under strict discipline; to which, afforded, as it ought to have been, the laws passed for their own honor they would readily submit ; within two or three weeks after congress met, nay require, if left to their own choice; for the which might have been done, a sufficient regular first object they would have in view, would be to force would, in all probability, have been in a state acquire military skill; and they would not only be of readiness in all the month of April; and the num- very soon prepared to perform field duty, but might ber of volunteers which might have been required to be entirely depended upon for any other service. make up the necessary force, would no doubt long Witness the prowess of the volunteers at the battle since have offered their services, and the whole on the Wabash, and these had not been disciplined have been in a state of preparation to take the field at all. Mr. A. said, he expected the honorable in time to have performed the arduous services con- member would admit, that the materials of which templated by the president. But instead of that the volunteers would be composed, would be at course having been pursued, what has been done? least equal to those of which the regular troops Your first military bill reported only a few days ago, would be formed; and the officers of the volunteer is now under consideration; the session now almost corps being appointed by the president would, he half expired, and at this late period, the honora- had not a doubt, faithfully perform their duty.. ble member, to whom as chairman of the commit-These, said Mr. A. are means completely in our tee, &c. the whole management of the military bu-power; and he considered it our best policy, as siness was referred, insists upon raising twenty-five well as our duty, to bring them into action. Mr. thousand regular troops, whose duty it shall be to A. said, in addition to the efficiency of the means make a descent upon Canada, in all the month of which he proposed to bring into the field, it would May. Can the gentleman be serious? Does he behave one very considerable advantage over the regulieve it practicable? If he does, Mr. A. said he should lar army of the honorable member. It would be be obliged to believe, that the hon. member was in more conformable to the true principles of the conearnest some days ago, when he assured the senate stitution, and would consequently be more acceptathat he knew very little of military affairs. Mr. A. ble to the nation. The confidence with which he said from the proofs we have repeatedly had, of the had spoken of volunteers, was not founded upon difficulty in obtaining men by enlistment for so long visionary theory, but practical experience; he had a time as five years, and the want in our country of often in the revolution had opportunity to witness those kinds of materials of which regular troops are their military ardor, and persevering firmness; on made, he did not believe that one half the number two occasions, in particular, the one at Connectiproposed to be raised by the bill could be enlisted cut farms, the other at Springfield, in the spring of within the time required. Mr. A. said, that although 1780. The enemy had advanced, in force about he was not as much in the habit of prophesying as the hon. member, he would, under all the circumstances, adventure to predict, that the scheme of now raising twenty-five thousand regular troops, to per form the arduous service contemplated in the presi dent's message, would entirely fail, and that the course pointed out by the president must at last be adopted; that is, to unite volunteers with regular troops.

two thousand, to a place called Connecticut farms, about four miles from Elizabeth Town, in New Jersev-The only troops that were within striking distance, to oppose this force, was the Brigade of Jersey regulars, containing then about a thousand men; many volunteers, however, flocked to their standard-the enemy were met by this force-a battle ensued-the American army had the advantage Mr. A. said, he trusted that the honorable mem- of the ground; but the right wing of the enemy, her and himself had in view the same object, but extended so far, that if not suddenly checked, it differed as to the means of carrying it into effect; would have enabled them to have flanked our left. the means proposed by the honorable member It was necessary to prevent it-services of this were regular troops only, If then the bill should kind must be promptly rendered-four hundred repass to raise twenty five thousand, entire depen-gulars and two hundred volunteers were ordered to dence would, in all probability, be placed upon execute it; no more could he spared from the line. the regular troops, ordered to be raised; the conse. A good position alone could have justified the atquence, as he had before said, would be, that the tempt, with the disparity of numbers. It was first whole object must fail. He was therefore for tak-made by manœuvre, but it was soon found, it could ing all the regular troops that could be raised in only be done by the bayonet. A determined charge time, and supplying the additional number of men. was made, and it was successful; the enemy were rewhich might be wanted, by volunteers: fifteen or pulsed; the volunteers were upon the left: not a twenty thousand of whom could, he had no doubt, man broke his ranks. Some brave fellows fell, but be brought into the field, before ten thousand of the their places were immediately filled; all behaved regular troops contemplated by the bill, could be with the firmness of veterans. The next day, enlisted by this mode. Notwithstanding so much those troops had the thanks of general Washingtime had been lost, an efficient army might yet be ton in general orders. Those volunteers had only provided in time to carry into effect the objects of joined the regulars a few days before the action. In the government, which, Mr. A. said, he did not about two weeks after, the enemy advanced in believe, could or would be done, if dependence greater force-about five thousand-the troops who were placed only upon the regular troops. Not had been in the former action, had kept their posi withstanding the little confidence which the honor- tion where the battle had been fought; it was edable member seems disposed to place in the volun-vantageous for an inferior force; it was a defile, teers, Mr. A said, he had no hesitation in giving covered for some distance on the right by a morass; it, as his most decided opinion, that at least as on the left it was not well protected. Against this mych dependence might be placed upon the volun-position, the enemy again advanced; and by their

increased numbers, they were enabled to extend versation, to justify the insinuations made by the gentheir right wing so far as completely to turn our tlemen, that he was unwilling to vote a sufficient leit. We were obliged to retreat; but not without force for the invasion of Canada. On the contrary, having kept the enemy a considerable time in he believed that no man who had seen active milicheck. You know, Mr. President, there is no sitary service, and who had any knowledge, of the tuation so trying to the bravery and firmness of situation and state of that country, would say that troops, as a retreat (for even you, sir, I believe, had it would be prudent or safe, to make a descent upon to retreat sometimes.) The volunteers, upon this Canada, with a force of less than twenty-five thouoccasion, behaved like themselves; a sullen, indig. sand men; peculiar circumstances might, however, nant step, marked their movements; and from the render it necessary, to attempt it with a smaller mouths of their guns they spoke to the enemy the number, and depend upon immediate supplies belanguage of defiance; the enemy did not advance ing furnished, to sustain the ground that might be one mile, before a fortunate position, supported by acquired. Mr. A. said the honorable member had determined bravery, enabled the united force of intimated that he had not taken into consideration, the regulars and volunteers to arrest their progress the peculiar situation of the United States in relafor the remainder of the day. This day's action tion to the Floridas, and the other parts of the began with the dawn of the morning, and continu southern and western frontiers-He said he was ed until the setting of the sun, when the enemy much indebted to the honorable member, for evincfell back to take a secure position against the ex-ing so much interest for those sections of the union pected attacks of the night. During the whole of-but Mr. A. said he considered those already this day's action, the volunteers kept the stations provided for, by the provision made to fit up the assigned them, which they sustained with as much regiments on the establishment, which when comfirmness as the regular troops. Many of them plete, would amount to ten thousand men-this were killed and wounded. Among the number, number will be quite competent to all the objects were said to be seven of one family connection, suggested by the honorable member, and it had brothers-in-law, and cousins; several of whom he not been contemplated, that he had heard, to rehad himself seen after the action. Scenes like this, move any of these troops from the south or westMr. President (said Mr. A.) of which we have been consequently the situation of those parts of the an eye witness and in which he claimed some par union, can have no relation to the number of men ticipation, had given him that confidence in volun to be raised, by the bill under consideration.teers, which he had evinced to the senate in the These troops are understood to be exclusively for course of his observations, and which, he said, the northern section-and with that express view should never cease but with his existence. They they are to be raised. Mr. A. said before he quitted are, sir, the best military materials in your coun- the subject of the southern and western frontier, try-they are the flowers of your forests; they he felt himself constrained to take notice of some ought not to be thrown into the back, the better to very extraordinary language, used by the honorable enable the honorable member from Virginia to pre-member in relation to the intentions of the late and sent his regulars in front. present presidents, respecting the city of Orleans, Mr. A. said, I have stated, Mr. President, per- in the event of a war with England. It was exhaps with some warmth, the grounds upon which tremely painful to doubt the correctness of any any confidence in volunteers has been founded; gentleman's statement; but this was of so very and be it remembered, said Mr. A. that they were extraordinary a character, that in duty to the secmilitia volunteers. He said, he ought to have stated, tion of country he represented, and from the re that the enemy they had encountered, was com-spect due to those distinguished characters, Mr. posed of regulars and Hessians-the whole under A. said he considered himself bound to take notice, the command of the Hessian gen. Knyphausen. in a particular manner, of the assertions made by Mr. A. said, the volunteers he now proposed rais the honorable member from Virginia, Mr. A. said, ing, he would have engaged for nine or twelve the words had very much surprised him, when he months, from the time of their reaching the place heard them uttered; and he had immediately writof general rendezvous. They should be engaged ten them down. The honorable member has said, by officers to be appointed by the president, under that he did know, that in the event of a war it such regulations (of course) as might be provided was the intention of the late president, to let the by law; but which could not now be well detailed. English take Orleans without opposition, and leave Mr. A. said, he should now offer some observa- it to the western people to retake it them elves; and tions upon the number of troops that ought to be he did believe that it was the intention of the preemployed. He said, that the invasion of Canada sent administration to act in the same way. [Mr. was not now contemplated for the first time-it Giles attempted to explain; but Mr. A. insisted had often been a subject of conversation, whenever that the words as he had taken them down were there had been any prospect of a war with England. correct, for which he appealed to the house. Mr. It has been considered as the most convenient mean G. desisted from making any further attempt at which we could make reprisal, and thereby obtain explanation, and Mr. A. proceeded]-If, sir, said some small reparation for the many losses and inju- Mr. A. I could believe that the late president of the vies, which have been sustained from the depreda- United States capable of such an act; capable of so tions committed upon the honor and interests of deliberate an infringement of the letter and spirit the nation. Mr. A said, that upon different occa- of the constitution, and all the moral and political sions, he had always given it as his opinion, that a obligations by which he was bound to his country descent upon Canada ought never to be attempted and to his duty, I should not hesitate to say that with a force of less than twenty-five thousand men ; all his well-earned fame ought to be for ever that such a force would make an awful impression merged in such an atrocious, contemplated act.— and would in all probability save many valuable But, said Mr. A. knowing as I do, the motives and lives; as no opposing force, in the usual state of views by which the late president had been uniformthe country, would be able to meet it in the field. ly actuated with respect to the whole western counMr. A. said he repeated, that no expression had try, I have very solid reason to believe he never escaped him, either in public debate or private con- contemplated, nor was he capable of committing

so daring an outrage on the rights and interests of tire confidence, should an occasion present, that the the whole western section of the union. What, president would faithfully, ably and impartially, disMr. President, would any one of the old states say, charge the duties he owed to every part of the union. at thus being thrown out of the protection of the Mr. A. said, the observations of the honorable union?-nay, what would be the impulse of the member, respecting the secretary of the treasury, nation, were the president capable of declaring, the financial department, and the administration as that in the event of a war with an enemy, no mat-connected with it, required and should receive an ter whom, he would leave either Philadelphia, New-Janswer. Mr. A. said, he considersd himself pecuYork or Boston, without offering any defence, to liarly bound to support the secretary, as he had been be taken possession of by the army of the enemy, the innocent cause, by introducing him into the and leave it to the citizens of the state, whose town debate, in the course of the observations he had should be thus occupied, to retake it themselves?—made, in support of his motion, and thereby bringSir, the indignation of these people, and of the ing upon him the animadversions, which the honnation, would rise to such a height, that whatever orable member had taken occasion to make. His respect, esteem or veneration, they might have had attack upon the secretary is of a singular kind; he for him-all would be instantly swept from their does not impeach a single official act of that officer, bosoms, and he would be hurled from their confi but throws out vague insinuations in so untangible dence forever. But, said Mr. A. the well earned a shape, as almost to defy an enquiry into their fame of our late illustrious chief, is his shield and truth. The official acts of a public officer are albis buckler, as well upon this, as it has been upon ways free subjects of investigation and discussion; many other occasions; and an elucidation of facts but, does it comport with the dignity of a member will test the correctness of the assertion made by of this body, to asperse without proof, not his acts, the honorable member from Virginia. If, Mr. Pre-but his supposed opinions. The honorable memsident, there was any one part of the United States ber presumes the secretary gave his assent to the dearer to the late president than any other, in a repeal of the salt tax-Upon what authority does national point of view, Mr. A. said, he should na- he found this opinion of the secretary? No proof turally suppose it was New-Orleans-It was, as it can be given of it. Mr. A said, he had always unwere, his own begotten child; he had nursed it inderstood that the secretary was opposed to the reits infancy, and had almost reared it to manhood. peal of that tax. Sir, he could never forsake it; much less could he fact, in all of which, if they are examined, it will be His numerous reports prove the voluntarily surrender it, to be sacked and plunder-found, that he considered that duty as one of the ed, as it most certainly would be, by a mercenary branches of revenue upon which he relied. But foe. I will now, Mr. President, examine some there would be no criminality, if we were to supfacts, said Mr. A. which have a strong bearing up- pose that the secretary had joined in the general on the assertion made by the honorable member opinion and given his assent to the repeal, as well from Virginia. It would be recollected by every as the honorable member has done; the fact, howhonorable member upon this floor, that some few ever, Mr. A. averred to be otherwise. That officer years ago, when it was understood that general must be supposed more alive to every thing connectPrescot, with a body of troops, had sailed from ed with the treasury, than other members of the Halifax, with intent, as it was expected, for the government. So far had the secretary carried this mouth of the Mississippi, the then president ap-feeling towards the treasury, that he was not only prehended the movement might possibly be to opposed to the repeal of the salt tax; but, Mr. A. possess Orleans. What was the conduct of the had always understood that he was opposed to the president on that occasion? Did he leave it de-repeal of the internal taxes at the time they took fenceless for the enemy to take? No, sir, he implace; with a view no doubt not only to be able to mediately gave orders for all the troops that could meet all the demands that could be legally made be collected within almost any reasonable distance, upon the treasury, but to procure a surplus, to to march immediately for the protection of the meet any contingency that the peculiar state of our place; and those that were near the sea-board were foreign relations might demand. How then the instantly transported by water; and every exertion honorable member can charge the secretary with was made to throw a sufficient force into Orleans the deficiency which the salt tax would have preand its vicinity, to afford it the most ample protec-vented, according to the gentleman's calculation, tion. This, sir, happened shortly before the pre- Mr. A. said he was at a loss to know. The honorasident went out of office; and no other occasion ble member ought more properly to charge his own presented itself of evincing his good disposition to-complaisance with the great deficit which he seems ward that portion of the union, until he was suco anxious to charge to the secretary. The secreceeded by the present chief magistrate, who has tary was opposed to the repeal of the salt tax also been measurably implicated in the same charge, from his opinion of the correctness of it. by the honorable member; but of this he has only honorable member was also opposed to it, for the The expressed his bellef; he has not, however, told us same reason; but from the compl isance, he him apon what that belief is founded. Inasmuch then, self tells us, he voted for the repeal. He then, and Mr. President, as this charge exists only in the not the secretary, is answerable to the treasury for belief of the honorable member, it is fair to pre- the great loss sustained by the repeal of that tax; sume purity of intention on the part of the execu-for he has told us, that its repeal depended upon his tive, until the contrary shall appear; and this, mr. single vote; and that vote he gave from complai A. said, he feit entirely confident never, would ap-sance, not from a conviction of its co rectness. pear. The uniform tenor of the president's moral The honorable member charges the treasury de and political rectitude, were ample vouchers for the partment with a recession from the difficulties of the correctness of his motives and the purity of his nation during the last three years-and with the intentions. Mr. A. said, so far as we have had an unwillingness of the secretary to afford the usefulopportunity of judging of the disposition of the ness of his talents to government. Mr. A. said he present chie magistrate, in relation to the protec- could not well understand the meaning of this tion of Orleans, we had not the smallest reason to charge, as the honorable member acknowledges doubt the purity of his intentions; and he had en-'that government had not called on the secretary for

greater exertions. Mr. A. said he would ask the cessary expences, the pressure fell on whom? Of honorable member,-in what do that recession and your empty treasury? No, sir-it fell on the army unwillingness consist? Have not all the duties of on the defenders of your country-on those warthe office been performed? Has the secretary ever worn veterans, who were scandy fed, hardly clothed, shrunk from responsibility upon any occasion, or and not paid at all, and whose earnings at least, fell declined answering to the fullest extent, any of the into the hands of speculating harpies. But, sir, c.lls made upon him by congress, either for infor- what effect had this state of things upon the permation or opinion? Has he not carried the finan-sonal repose of your then commissioners of the cial bark safely to this moment, notwithstanding treasury? Not the least,--except so far as they felt the difficulties of the times? Have not all the pub for the distresses of their country, and identified lic engagements been fullled; all the increased 'themselves with its fate; and it is only in this expences been defraved, notwithstanding the de-point of view, said Mr. A. that the repose of a seercase of revenue, occasioned by the state of our cretary of your treasury can be disturbed on simforeign relations? What is then meant by recession? lar occasions. That substitution of the treasury— Does the honorable member mean to say, that it of the chest into which the taxes are paid,―to the was the duty of the secretary to point out new people themselves who pay them, is one of those branches of revenue; while those already existing equivoques of which the honorable member is so were sufficient to defray the expences authorised fond. It is, however, an artifice too thinly veiled, by law? At this moment, whilst we are acting on to deceive the senate, or mislead our constituents. the subject of the army, which will (greatly) more Mr. A. said, the course taken by the honorable than double the public expenses, the honorable member had been so devious, that it had been hard member does not deign to enquire into the ways and to follow him, and indeed sometimes to understand means. He scouts the very idea, and finds great his meaning correctly. Mr. A. said, he could not, fault with him (Mr. A.) because he presumed to nor had he intended when he rose, to answer all make some enquiry into the present state of the the observations of the honorable member―he had national treasury. Whether we now vote six or selected the most prominent, and should answer ten regiments of infantry, with the addition of those only two more. The honorable member had said, of artillery and horse, the expense will be great; that to the unwillingness of the late and present adbut we think it necessary some additional troops mini trations to incur expense, he attributes the preshall be raised, and will vote accordingly. After sent situation of our country. Although he has they shall have been authorised, and not before, the made this charge against the administrations, he treasury department may properly be called upon, has not specified any case, in which the present to point out the resources and present them to our ladinininstration had refused to incur expense. Mr. consideration. The honorable member, not satis-A. supposed it would have been rather too bold a fied with his vague charge of what he calls a reces-charge, after the measures adopted by the president, sion of the treasury department, extends the charge and with their result now before us: he had how. in a most extraordinary manner, to the late and ever specified too cases under the former adminis present administrations. To their indisposition to tration--a refusal to incur the expense necessary to press on the treasury, and to disturb the repose and carry the embargo into effect, and a rejection by popularity of the secretary of the treasury, the the house of representatives of a proposition to auhonorable member ascribes the measures, which in thorise contingent letters of marque and reprisal. his opinion had dishonored the nation, the last Mr. A. said, he had always understood, that the three years. Can this be correct, Mr. President executive had used with great assiduity every means Can this house believe that the late and present which had been placed in his hands by congress, to administrations would be capable of acting upon carry into effect the several embargo laws; that the such principles? The honorable member has roundly laws were as well executed as any restrictive laws, asserted that the late president; that Mr. Jefferson, of so pressing a character, could have been upon whenever he was opposed to what he deemed unne- so extensive a coast, and more so than the restriccessary expense, instead of being actuated by his tive laws of Great Britain and France had ever known aversion to saddle such an expense on the been, with all their navies and their numerous arpeople, instead of being, as he expressed it, averse mies; and that it was not because this law was not to taking from the mouth of labor its hard earnings, well executed that it was repealed; but in consehad no other motive but a fear to disturb the repose quence of another consideration, well known to and popularity of the secretary of the treasury! the honorable member himself, who can give as But, Mr. President, what is the treasury, abstractly accurate a history of the repeal of that law, as any speaking; and what does the honorable member honorable member of either house. Mr. A. said, mean, by a fear to press on the treasury? The offi- with respect to the failure, on the part of the cers of the treasury are mere agents to receive and house of representatives to adopt contingent letters to pay the money which is collected from the people of marque and reprisal, he could not see how that There is never any real pressure on the treasury. could with any propriety be attributed to the late If there be at any time a pressure for the purpose of president. He did not indeed, by any official mes defraying any expense, it is a pressure on the people. sage, recommend such a measure, and the corwho must pay the money. Whether the treasury rectness of such a course might well be doubted, has ten or twenty millions to collect from the peo- upon constitutional grounds. But, Mr. A. said, he ple, and to pay to the othe agents of government, well knew that the president was anxious for a prothe repose of the secretary is in not in the least vision o that kind, as a substitute for the embargo: disturbed. When, during the revolutionary war, whether in the precise phraseology of the provision congress was obliged to call on the people for heavy the house rejected, Mr. A. could not say; but taxes, or enable to redeem our paper-money, the knowing, as he did, that the president was desirous pressure fell on the people, who had the taxes to of a strong substitute, he was sorry that the hon. pay and in whose hands the paper-money died member had attempted to attribute to him the faiaway. When notwithstanding these inadequate lare of so important a measure, for which he was rescurces, we were unable to defray the most ne-in no way responsible.