CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FRIDAY, Feb. 4.
The BANK BILL under cons deration.
MR. LAWRANCE,
THE advocates of this measure Hand in an un
fortunate iituation ; for being those, who in
general advocate national measures, trey are
charged with aefignsto extend the powers of the
government unduly.—He however consoled hitn
feJf with a conscious attachment to the Constitu
tion, and with the reflexion that their conduifi
received the approbation of their constituents.—
If the present, said he, is contrasted' with the
former circumstances of this country, he doubled
not the measures of this government would con
tinue to receive the approbation of the people of
the United States.
The silence of the people on the fubjed; now
J>efore the House is strongly presumptive that
the measure of a bank is not conlidered by them
as unconstitutional. He then endeavored to shew
the constitutionality of the bank system. It must
beconceded that there is nothing in the consti
tution expressly against it, and therefore we
ought not to deduce a prohibition by construc
tion ; he adverted to the amendment proposed
t>y Congress to the constitution, which fays, pow
ers " not delegated, are retained here said he,
to prove that the bank is unconstitutional, the
conftru&ive interpretation so much objected a
gainst, is recurred to.
The great objects of this government are con
tained in the context of the conftituiion ; he re
capitulated those objetSs, and inferred that eve
ry power necessary to secure these must neceffa
lily follow: For as to the great obje<fts for which
this government was instituted, it is as full and
complete in all its parts as any system that could
be devised ; a full uncontroulable power to re
gulate the fifcal concerns of this union is a pri
mary consideration in this government, and
from hence it clearly follows, that it must poflefs
the power to make every possible arrangement
conducive to that great objedl.
He then adverted to the late confederation and
pointed out its defe&s and incompetency and
hence the old Congress called on the States to
enacft certain laws which they had not power to
enadi ; from hence he inferred that as the late
confederation could not pass those laws, and to
capacitate the government of the United States,
and form a more perfedl union, the constitution
under which we now art was formed—to sup
pose that this government does not poflefs the
powers for which the constitution was adopted,
involves the grofleft absurdity.
The deviation from charters and the infringe
ment of parchment rights which had been juf
tified on the principle of neceflity by the gentle
man from Virginia (Mr. Madison) he said had
been made on different principles from those now
mentioned ; the neceflity he contended did not
at the time exist—the old Congress exercised the
power as they thought by a fair conftrutftion of
the confederation.
On conftruiftions, he observed it was to be la
mented that they (hould evei* be neceilary but
they had been made ; he instanced the power of
removability, which had been an ad: of the three
"branches-and has not been complained of. It
was at leafl as important a one as the present.
But the conftrudtion now proposed he con
tended was aneafy and natural conftrudion ; re
curring to the collection law, he observed that
it was by conftrudlion that the receipts are or
dered to be made in gold and silver.
With refped: to creating a mass of capital he
supposed, just and upright national measures
would create a will to form this capital.
Advening to the ideatliat Congress has not the
power to eftablifli companies with exclusive pri
vileges, he observed that by the amendments pro
posed by New-Hampfbire, Mallachufets and New-
York, it plainly appears that these States con
fide red that Congress does poflefs the power to
establish such companies.
The constitution vests Congress with power to
dispose of certain property in lands, and to make
all ufeful rules and regulations for that purpose ;
can its power be less over one species of its own
property than over another ?
With refped: to giving preference to one State
over another, he observed, that 10 years hence
the fear of government is to be 011 the Potowmac,
and wherever the government is finally fettled'
the place will enjoy superior advantages, but still
the government must go there, and the places
not enjoying thofeadvantages must be fatisfied.
It: is laid we mull notpafs a problematical bill
which is liable to a supervision by the Judges of
the Supreme Court ; but he conceived there was
no force in this, as those Judges are invested by
the Constitution with a power to pals their judg
ment on all Jaws that may bepafled.
Itisfaid that this law may interfere with the
slate governments ; but this or may not be
the cafe—and in all interferences of the kind, the
particular interest of a state, mult give way tothe
general interest.
With relpeiit to the corporation pofl'effing the
power of pafling laws—this he observed is a pow
er incidental to all corporations—and in the in
stance of the Wellern Territory, Congress have
exercised the power of instituting corporations,
or bodies politic, to the greatelt polfible extent.
He defended the right of Congress to purchase
and poflefs property, and quoted a paflage in the
conltiuuion to Ihew that they poflels this right.
He then touched on the expediency of banks,
and of that proposed in particular : The advan
tages generally derived from these institutions,
he believed, applied peculiarly to this country.
He noticed the objection from banks banifliing the
specie—he said the surplus only would be lent
out of the country—but is it given Sway ?—No,
Sir—it is sent off for articles which are wanted—
and which will enrich the country.
With refpe«ft to a run 011 the bank—he men
tioned the circumstances under which those runs
on the Britiftt banks, which had been noticed,
took place—and (hewed there was no parallel that
would probably ever take place in this country.
From several particulars he (hewed, that the
objeiftion which arose from the United States'not
having made a good bargain by the fyflem, was
not well founded. He then mentioned the pecu
liar advantages which the United States will en
joy over common subscribers.
The objection from banks being already estab
lished in the several States, he obviated, by fluting
the inifchiefs which might arise from an ignor
ance of the situation of those banks—and con
cluded by some remarks 011 the inexpediency of
the general government's having recourse to insti
tutions of merely a local nature.
Whoe'er thou art—thy Genius boasts the Pow'r
To soothe the Soul in Nature's darkejl hour.
FROM THE NORFOLK and. PORTSMOUTH CHRONICLE.
" Come gentle Spring, ethereal mildvefs comg."-
BLINDNESS.
" gentle Maid, celestial Comfort, come
V_y And from yon azure opening in the Sky,
(White Peace attends thy train) veil'd in a Show'r
Of (hadowing Bleflings, on the Blind, descend !"
Those, blefl with Sight, who walk abroad and dare
With Eagle Eye, survey the radiant Sun,
Take in the Blaze of Light, and fwiftas thought,
Can from the dark Retina throw it back,
And catch Ideas from the Face of Things.
Those, blest with Sight, who on some Summer's Eve,
Walk slowly musing, on the pebbled Beach,
And take the fcatter'd Rays, light as they fly,
from Star to Star, or, broke in countless Angles,
As thro' the flying Clouds they (hoot along,
And half unveil the Beauties oi the Sky,
Pleas'd with such scenes, they little heed the Blind.
But let them turn with me, to yon fair form,*
To yon mild mind, that even in Blindncfs charms*
Her gay, her cheerful Soul, once sent Ideas
From a blue Eye, that fcatter'd Bleflings round ;
Peace and gay Pleasure dwelt about those Orbs,
And the bright Rays of Day, that rested there,
Return'd delighted with the Mind within :
But envious darkness drew her fable veil,
And hid their radiance in eternal night.
No day-break now is her's, and the gay Sun
1 hat rides triumphant the meridian Sky,
Shoots not a cheering ray to light her path :
Thick, thick around, impervious Gloom fits brooding
And tho' Ihe change, her room i ever dark.
She holds no converse with the fpeaki'ng Eye
a ICI, ° f ° f Fr,en<^s » that fit* and talk,
And lmile around ; and when her prattling Babes
Draw her regard, with fond maternal mind,
She looks for some fwcet likeness of herfelf •
But looks in vain !-Her children, but by voice,
knows not!—'Tis but a general blank
F.om which the Soul recoils; the Eye rolls in,
And turns with Horror, from the dreary Void.
Oh come some pitying Spirit of the Sky,
Seize some tair wand, dipt in the Fount of Light,
1 ouch those Blue Eyes, and give them to the Day !
Jhe ardent Gaze, with which hr grateful Soul
Will fly abroad, and take Creation in,
The smile of peace w.th which (he'll look on all
Will pay your pleating talk, and promp a wish '
To quit e'en Heaven, to relieve the BLIND,
A T orfolk ) February 9, iygi
* Mrs. C—lv«—rt,
FOR THE GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES.
SONNET
Sent to Miss with a Braid of Hair.
fliews the rose, but soon its beauty fades,
tuj"™ 115 balm y- br «thing frag.ance fails;
Aj , ~.d ow; n > P each > fw «t pear, DECAY assails,
And cluttered purples of the vine invades.
Nor docs alone the vegetative realm
Feel the destroyer's over-bearing power;
Wejovs in ruin, cities to overwhelm,
•To shake the column, and to fink the lower.
Nor yet can Beauty, radiant at the morn,
wrath The rosy cheek he pales;
jP tr y ° t ' le " < -' n prevails;
And flowing honors that the head adorn.
The foul refined in fentimem and truth,
1)15 power, and fmilcs eternal youth.
774
' T HOMPSON,
YANKEE.
ILIA
EXTRACT from the ar.fmcr of the two Houfis ofth
Central Court of Matfachufetts, to tht CoverLr',
Speech.
THE United States of America are now placed
in a refpeiftable situation. Their honor and
credit, which at certain periods seemed doubtful
are now eftablillied 011 a permanent bails. Bv
enlarging the system of our government, and bv
bringing the rtrength of the fevei al States into
one uniform plan of operation, we are enabled
to form connexions with other-nations ; todefend
the Union against foreign in vafions ; and topre
ferve harmony, and support juilice between the
citizens of the different States.
We prefunie it will ever be the disposition of
our legislature, to guard againlt every infringe
ment on the Constitution of our own State, being
convinced that by fucli conduct we give vigor and
energy to the general government.
The debt of the United States and of the par
ticular States, we conceive to be the price of our
peace, liberty, and independence, and it must be
a pleasing reflection that we are not obliged to
hare recourse to oppreflion and violence, to can
cel this debt, as the resources of our country
with decent economy, are amply fufficient to do
justice to our public creditors.
While contemplating the pleasing enjovment
of liberty and independence, we are no less bles
sed with the fruits of industry and peace. The
liufibandman rejoices in the increase of his fields
and we acknowledge with gratitude the prosper
ous events which in the year pnit have attended
the various branches of commerce prosecuted in
this State, and have in some degree revived the
fifheries under rheir continued embarrafsmems;
our manufactures and mechanical arts are rapjly
inciejfing, and daily improving.
NORFOLK, February iy.
SHIP NEWS.
CapeHenlofen, Feb.
P. M. WindE. N. E. a heavy bank hovering
over Philadelphia—dark gloomy weather.
The B 1, a line of battle {hip of New-Jersey,
in the offing, making signals, but not understood
by the fleet.
The A s, one of the fir ft (hips of Mafiachu
fetts, flieltered herfelf under the bank, but was
iniflaken in her foundings.
The Conlliturion, a new ftiip, conftruded for
the Eastern Ocean. 1 lie crew of this ihip, it is
said, has disobeyed orders, in ajfuming preroga
tives which they were not entitled to, at which,
the late Lords of the Admiralty are much dis
pleased, and for which {he has been so generally
ailaulted, that her frame is much wrecked, and
it is said she muff be coppered, as her bottom is
worm eaten. She is supposed to be a fliip too
large and nnweildy for the Atlantic Ocean, and'
it is thought by some (who are not acquainted
with navigation) that it would have been better
to have laid out the money that she cost in two
light 74's, one to have cruised on St. George's
Bank, and the other off Charlelton bar.
c. U.s.
]he J n, an active 74 of Georgia, has never
seen an enemy, but has attacked it with firnmef*
and intrepidity, but has unfortunately been over
powered by heavier metal ; being much (battered,
it is said she is to be laid up in ordinary, for two
years, having received a found drubbing from
the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary
at War, two flag fbips of the enemy's squadron.
Ihe M n, a finall ship with heavy ord
nance, has been attacked by every capital (hip of
the enemy s fleet ; she, however, broke their line
and fought herfelf clear, but by an error in keep
ing the log, she over-run her reckoning to the
Eastward, and got entangled with the rocks of
Scilly, and the whirlpool of Charibdis ; but by
altering her course she escaped shipwreck; — she
is a valuable lhip and it is to be hoped (lie will be
more cautious in her reckoning for the future.
It is apprehended the bank has opened a falfe
channel for her to enter at, to take her off from
the support of her squadron, but it is expected
flie will keep a good look-out and not be decoyed
-her batteries have been opened against thebank,
with well diretfted fires, but it has such a number
of heavy metal ships inoor'd around it, that lit>
tie impression has hitherto been made, being co
vei ed with the W eallh of the Nation, a (Ilip of 120
guns, the A s, a 74, the G y, an old (hip
that has proved herfelf very obflinate in many
haid fights, the S k, commanded by a purita
nical presbyterian, of more felf-importance than
any in the navy, theSh n commanded by old
Reynard, who scarcely ever loft a battle, the
' e whole captain is very confident in the
weight of his own metal, the V g, aSO gun
(hip, wliofe captain expecfts promotion from his
ftip s quick (ailing, and his 1 eadinefs to repeat
signals from the Admiral, with a number of other
of (mailer note ; hence it is ftippofed the M »
and its fleet will not be fufficient to dispel the
bank, as he has in his fleet the J n which has
as already observed, been much wrecked in the
service, the G s, a new 74 from Virginia, the
ciew of which has not been yet well disciplined,
theL ea64 who was never considered a found
flnp, the \V ean old crazy fli-ip, her command