JEiEKSOIAN HEP UBLICAN.
JEFFERS ONI AN REPUBLICAN
Stroudsburg, Pa. Bee. 25, ISdO.
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DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR.
Subject to the decision of the State Convention
No paper will be issued from this office next
week, as the publisher intends being absent for
a few days.
The "Spy in Washington" writes "A few
days past, Mr. Van Buren informed a gentle
man, that for three months before the election
was decided, he had no hope of success: that
he knew he would be beaten that he had so
stated to his sons. That Gen. Jackson had
written to him, and inquired what were the
prospects, and that he had omitted answering
his letter until the New York election had
taken place, but before the result was known,
when he wrote to the inmate of the Hermitage,
that he was beaten. This, be it remembered,
is Mr. Van Buren's own account of the game
he has been playing."
Correspondence of the Baltimore American.
Washington, Dec. ISth.
A Crash in the House.
Failing of the Chandelier.
Instead of sending you a report of proceed
ings of the House of Representatives, 1 am
called upon to send an account of a narrow cs-
t cape of life and limb, occasioned by the falling
of the Chandelier in the Hall of the House ol
Representatives. The accident occurred at ten
o'clock or thereabouts, and the fall was the
weight of seven thousand five hundred pounds
of brass, and lead, and glass, at the distance of
some fifteen feet. The fail was a tremendous
one, and the crash like the noise of a falling
house, the echo of the Hall giving an increased
noise lo the fallen mass. Had the House been
in session and the members in their seals, some
dozen members must have been maimed or
killed.
The weight of the Chandelier fell in the cen
tre of the Hall, a part of it forcing a breach
in the aperture intended for the furnace. The
desks in the vicinity were broken to pieces,
fortunately the only damage done, beyond the
destruction of the Chandelier.
The Chandelier was lighted last night for the
first time since Congress was in session. It
was a beautiful piece of work, too gorgeou3,
perhaps, and certainly too expensive, the cost
being about five thousand dollars. There were
Eeveniy-eight lamps in it, holding a quart of oil
each, and emitting a soft and beautiful light.
But the light is out, and it seems in good time,
for an escape so marvellous in such a wreck is
wonderful.
CONGRESS.
Fridat, Dec. 13, 1840.
The Senate did not sit to-day.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Friday, Dec. IS, 1840.
After the journal was read, and several cor
rections of it ordered on the motion of different
member.
Mr. Jones, from the Committee of Ways and
Means, -reported a bill making appropriations
for the payment of revolutionary and other pen
sions for the year 1841; which was read twice
end referred to the Committee of the Whole,
and ordered to be printed.
Mr. Jones moved that the Committee of Ways
end Means be authorized lo employ a clerk;
which, after some conversation, was agreed to.
SALARIES OF DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.
Mr. Davis of Kentucky, gave notice thai he
would at the next sitting, introduce a bill to
limit the salaries of District Attorneys, Mar
shals, &c. of the U. S. Courts.
Mr. Wm. Cost Johnson (whose desk had
besn shattered to pieces by the fall of the chan
delier) moved that the House adjourn to Mon
day nsxt; which was agreed to, and the proper
officers were directed to cause the remnants of
the chandelier to bo removed, and new desks
&td chairs to be procured.
Another Murder in 3?cw Jersey.
I3y a letter, says the N. Y. Sun received at
Paterson on Thursday evening, directed to Mr.
James Jackson, of lhat place, he was informed
of the murder of his brother-in-law. Report
ays that he was found murdered, and that his
body had been placed under ground m a grave
yard in Springfield, New Jersey; and it was
found by the observation of some persons who
had remarked ihe newness and singular appear
ance of the grave. They were induced first
jo believe th-t some resurrectionist had viola-
led it, and on attempting to ascertain tho fact,
they found the body of the murdered man. j$e
was a man of wealth, engaged in buying and
celling cattle, and at the time of his leaving
home he had a large amount of money on his
porson.
Governor Shannon, of Ohio, uses the word
bank or banking, 205 time in his recent Message.
The First Skirmish isi tUe Senate.
INTERESTING.
From the Washington Correspondent of the.Buh
timore Patriot.
Mr. Clay's Resolution for the Repeal
of the Sub-Treasury Act.
Mr. Clay said it was not his purpose to invite
a renewal of the discussion of the Sub-Treasury
policy; nor to participate in any re-argumentation
of that condemned measure. He would
as lieve argue to a culprit with the rope around
his neck, and while in the cart on tho road to
execution, that the conviction was according to
law and justice, as he would go into a course
of reasoning to show lhat this Sub-Treasury
System ought to be abandoned. But, he felt it
due. to the Senate, and the country, to state why
he thought the ordinary course of legislation
which was to move a resolution of inquiry into
the expediency of repeal or to introduce a Bill
for the repeal of a particular measure, ought to
bo dispensed with on the present occasion.
If (said he) we should look back to 1800,
when Mr. Jefferson came into power, but by a
far less general decision of the public in his fa
vor than that which has called General Harrison
to the Chief Magistracy, if we should suppose
that the Alien and Sedition Act had been passed
for permanent duration would we not think it
idle in the majority in Congress at lhat time to
have introduced a resolution instructing a Com
mittee to inquire into the expediency of repeal
ing a measure so generally censured? The
Sub-Treasury Bill has been discussed for more
than three years longer than the whole period
of the last war and half as long as the war of
the Revolution; and after the discussion, the
Nation has in the most unequivocal manner ex
pressed its opinions and feelings respecting it.
The Nation (exclaimed Mr. Clay, with pe
culiar emphasis,) wills its repeal the Nation
commands its rooeal. There are in this cham
ber Senators from nineteen States who stand
instructed to vote for its repeal.
We may contend as to what was and what
was not involved in the late contest. There
are many measures, many questions, as to wheth
er and to what extent they were connected with
the struggle. Gentlemen on the other side have
heretofore been fond of declaring that such an
election decided this, that, and the other but
the People had sustained the war upon the
Bank, the removal of dcposites, &c. &c. There
was room for controversy in all those cases.
But as to the Sub -Treasury system, there could
be no doubt at all about the decision of the Peo
ple. The Nation had pronounced judgement
against the measure; and when the Nation has
spoken, has willed, has commanded what should
be done, in so clear and intelligible a manner,
what necessity was there for a Committee of
the Senate to inquire as to what the Senate
ought lo do? Who of ihe Senators from these
nineteen States referred to, will stand up, and
say he will under these circumstances oppose
the repeal? 1 hose Senators whose constitu
ents have given a difiercnt verdict may indeed
oppose it. But surely the obedient Republi
cans from the Anti-Sub-Treasury States will
find no difficulty in complying with the wishes
of their fellow-citizens.
Mr. Clay said he had hoped that the Presi
dent would, with that magnanimity which might
have been expected from his office, have an
nounced the will of the nation, and recommend
ed to Congress a course of policy conforming
to lhat will. He had too much respect for Mr.
Van Buren and too much consideration for
human nature, to have wished that the Presi
dent should come to Congress and say "I have
been wrong all this time L have been urging
on you measures founded in error." But he
did expect that the President would, at least,
have referred to the nation's imperative will so
decisively pronounced. Least of all (added
Mr. Clay) was I prepared to find the President,
instead of recommending a repeal of the Sub
Treasury, gravely proposing amendments to the
Bill emendations of the details of a measure
which the country has so overwhelmingly con
demned in the principle, and in the whole scope
of its tendency and character! and when both
the President and the Secretary knew that it
would not endure, as an act of Congress, longer
than ihe first day of the first session lhat could
be called under the administration of President
Harrison, if the. majorities now in Congress
will persevere in resisting its repeal.
The President had spoken of the successful
operation of the Sub-Treasury." Mr. Clay said
it would have been more satisfactory if the
President or Secretary had gone a little into
detail on this point; and had stated what altera
tions have grown up in the fiscal administration,
under the new system. Instead of doing that,
we are simply told In very general terms that
the system has satisfied the expectations of its
authors, and is now in successful operation!
The country would inquire into the truth of this '
general declaration. He lived, (thank Heaven!)
far from any Receiver General; but he would
ask tho Senator from New Hampshire, (Mr.
Hubbard,) or the Senator from New York, (Mr.
Wright,) to state what was the operation how
it worked? and how it affected the monetary
concerns of the Government?
Mr. Clay believed there was not the slightest
difference between the fiscal practice of the
Government now and that which had preceded
July last; and he entered into a number of de
tails to prove this position; and lo show that
there was in point of fact no divorce of the Gov
ernment from the Banks. He maintained there
fore that no inconvenience would result from
the repeal- that things would bo as precisely
as they were in July last: with this difference,
that the accounts instead of being opened with
a Collector or Receiver, on his own individual
credit, would be openod with tho Treasurer of
the United States.
But, whatever inconvenience might rrsulf,
the duty of the Senate was plain and he for
one was ready to discharge his. He would
ubey the voice of the Nation.
Mr. Clay concluded with saying that if the
Senators on the other side wanted time to make
up their minds, ho would agree to let the reso
lution lie over for the present.
Viier mr. viay aau uuwn, . . .
Mr. Wright instantly rose, and thanked the
Kentucky Senator for having presented this is
sue. He did not desire to discuss it: but want
ed the Senato to be full, when it should be de
cided. Mr. Wright then passed on lo his old and
hackneyed topics of abuse against the Harrison
party, that they had never declared their princi
ples previous to the election, and argued that
the country had given no judgement on the Sub
Treasury. He maintained that the true verdict
had been given at the Congressional Elections
a year ago! From this he proceeded to talk
about a National Bank, and the State Bank De-
posite System; and contended that the result of
the election only proved that the Capitol ought
to be torn down, and a Log Cabin erected in its
place! (How very witty!) Then came many
professions of obedience to the public will, ac
companied, however, by earnest protestations
against the verdict in this case bein regarded
as expressive of the public will.
Before he took his seat Mr. Wright made
one important admission that DCF3 ix Nkw York
two thirds of the Revenue are paid mpa-Per-Xff
Mr Clay, while he agreed to the proposition
of Mr. Wright to allow the resolution to lie over
for a while, took occasion to reply to some of
his observations.
In regard to what Mr. Wright had said about
ua no principle party," "Log Cabins," Coon
Skins, &c. &c. &c. Mr. Clay asked, what kind
of a party that must be which could have been
so overwhelmingly beaten by a party that has
noprinciples, whose only badges were coon
sliipsf and whoso only residence are log cabins!
He-'flenied that, there was any correctness in
these imputations. He asked if Mr. Wright,
at this late day, was in want of information re
specting the opinions of the Whig party.
Mr. Wright had referred to Congress as ex
hibiting in the state of parties, a better index to
the popular will. Mr. Clay said he hoped the
Senator would not make it necessary for him
lo look into the New Jersey affair.
He repeated lhat as to the Sub-Treasury
there could not be two opinions about the will
of the people. As to the Bank of the United
States or the State Bank Deposite System; suf
ficient for the day is tho evil thereof. When
the obstacle to good Government, the Sub
Treasury, is removed, the Administration of;
Harrison will build up good measures. j
One of the most brilliant passages of Mr.
Clay was that in which he repelled the equally
idle and commonplace imputation uttered by
Mr. Wright, that the principles of the Harrison
party are not known.
"Not known!" exclaimed the Kentucky Sen
ator, in tones that rang through the Chamber.
"Does the gentleman not know that we are
against the Sub-Treasury? that we are for econ
omy? lhat we are for retrenchment? that we
are opposed to the fearful abuses and corrup
tions and encroachments of ihe Executive?
Why, sir, the gentleman must forget that the
election is over. He must fancy himself in
some New York Convention, at Poughkeepsie,
perhaps; instead of the United States Senate.
He will not surely dare to say here in his place,;
that the Senators to whom he is opposed have
not shown their principles. No, sir; No, sir.
He understands our principles well enough.
He understands that we are for conducting
the administration of public affairs openly and
honestly that we are against all mere expedi
ents of every kind that if we should get into
debt we would confess it, and not attempt mean
ly to conceal it, as the men now in power had
done. Look at their condition! in debt for the
District of Golumbia in debt for our Indian,
relations in debt for investments made in state
slocks for political purposes in debt for the
absorbing Florida war. The Administration is
indeed covered all over with debt, and yet we
find the President declaiming against a Nation
al Debt as he and his party did against bank
paper, when they were, and are at this hour
using it.
The amount of the public debt is not yet
known. But it will be discovered when Gen.
Harrison shall come into power."
Mr. Clay closed with expressiug his hope
that there would be on the part of the majority
of the Senate a disposition to obey tho declared
wishes of the People.
jXJ3 The Uniojitown Genius of Liberty, a
Van Buren paper, alludes to ihe question of
Governor, and expresses the opinion that the
better and safer course "would be to take a
new candidate from tho west, for the west has
strong claims some plain, substantial, clear
headed, sound-hearted man, like Dr. Sturgeon,
or Gen. Beeson, of Fayette, or Gol. Ringland,
of Washington."
The Ilarrisburg Reporter gives the above,
and remarks, "Several other democratic papers
advocate the nomination of anew candidate,!
without having named any gentleman as their
choice. We know of none, however, that will
not support Governor Porter, if nominated by
the 4th of Maroh convention. Delegates have
been chosen in several counties with no in
structions in some cases, and in others with in
structions to go for Porter."
The "present incumbent" will, no doubt, be
nominated on the 4th of March, but without a
degree of unanimity, and a spirit of harmony
calculated to assist his prospects. It is pro
bable that, in the meantime, ho will lose the
patronage of the Public Improvements, and
without said patronage, his re-election must be
considered a doubtful matter indeed,
'FilOiTX WASHINGTON'..
Mr. Webster ?s First Speech of tlie
Session.
Washington, Dec. 1 6ih.
UNITED STATES SENATE.
The Vice President, Richard M. Johnson,
made his appearance in the Chair to-day, hav
ing arrived in the city last week.
An Executive Document from the War Do
partment was recived and laid upon the table.
The Bill for the support of Government in
part for 1841, received from the House yes
terday, was read twice and sent to the Com
mittee of Finance. The Bill was reported
back from the Committee to the Senate, during
the morning hour, read a third time and passed.
ONE PRESIDENTIAL TERM.
Mr. Tallmadge, of N. Y. proposed an amend
ment to the Constitution, fixin? thb time of
Presidential service to one term. The Reso
lution received its first and second reading, and
was, no one opposing, ordered to be printed.
EXCHANGES.
Mi. Beiiton offered a resolution calling upon
the Secretary of the Treasury for information
in relation to the rates of foreign and domestic
exchange, particularly between the cities of
New York and Philadelphia, since the period
of- suspension of specie payments.
REPORTS.
The Judiciary Committee reported through
their Chairnlau, Air. Wall, two important Bills,
which had their first and second reading. The
one to punish certain crimes against the United
btates, and the other preventing the counter
feiting of coin.
A bill for the relief of certain companies of
Missouri Volunteers was referred to the Mili
tary Committee.
THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
The Vice President, after the expiration of
the morning hour, announced the postponed
motion of Mr. Webster to be the subject in or
der before the Senate.
Mr. WEBSTER said that it was not with
out some reluctance that he had concluded to
address the Senate upon ihe subject of the
President's Message especially at this period
of the session. He had no disposition to re
open old wounds, or to enter again upon the
discussion of topics which had so recently,
and at such great length, been discussed in the
Senate. All that I propose to do is to submit
some remarks with regard to the finances of
the country. 1 do not propose to refer at much
length to the past, or to speculate upon the
future. I wish to consider the finances of the
country as they are, and to comment briefly
upon some of the facts or opinions laid down in
the Message.
He thought the President was mistaken in
some of his positions in reference to a Nation
al Debt and a National Bank. Of a National
Bank, said Mr. Webster, I shall say nothing at
present. In regard to a National Debt, I wish
to submit to the Senate whether any parly sinee
the foundation of the Government, ever made a
National Debt one of its governing principles.
If so when did that party exist, and where is
the proof of its existence? It is true that the
Government has contracted debts the old Con
tinental Congress contracted debts loans were
made in the days of the Revolution a debt
was contracted by John Adams with Holland;
but of the propriety of these measures there are
none who doubt them.
But, continued Mr. Webster, the remark of
the President is particularly unfortunate when
he says that a National Debt has been one of
the prominent measures before the country.
The present is the only Administration which
in a time of profound peace has contracted a
debt, and this Administration has expended
txcenty seven millions Jive hundred thousand dol
lars more than its income.
Reserved by the Deposit Act, $6,000,000
on the first of January, 1837.
Here was this amount on hand. In 1837 the
fourth instalment was kept back, amounting to
$9,000,000. In addition to this, the Bonds due
from the old Bank have been the means of pay
ing into tho Treasury the sum of $8,000,000.
To this is to be added the outstanding Treasury
notes, making in all $27,500,000; and this
shows that for the three or four years past the
Administration has expended nearly eight mil
lions per annum, beyond its income.
But, asked Mr. Webster again is this all?
I am afraid it is not all. I think the Secretary
of the Treasury has tatien to his own account
as income of the Government, what properly
belongs to the Trust Fund, provided for the In
dians under certain treaties. Mr. Webster no
ticed some of these, referring to the official re
ports. From the War Department he read of
one investment of $1,800,000. This sum was
deposited in slock State stocks which were
named by the Senator. Belonging to the Ghick
asaws was invested the sum of $1,500,000.
Other sums were invested, leaving but $300,
000 of these Trust Funds winch were not in
vested. The Secretary had kept no separate account '
of these Trust Funds, and as a matter of book-1
keeping it might, or might not, be a proper!
mode of doing business. lie should have
thought that this account should have been kept
separately, the Department being as it was a
Trustee for the Fund.
Mr. Webster then quoted the prices of tho
State Stocks, showing that they were below
par, and had fallen greatly since the pledge.
The United Stales were indebted to the Indian
tribes. We had received their lands we had
pledged to invest their fund in permanent stocks,
and this wo have not dono, and the United
States were indebted for the loss, Now they
were indebted to the sum of $2,500,000 on ac
count of those Tru3t Ftmd3 and investments.
This 2,500,000. was a debt to all intents and
purposes a debt due by the Government, and
though not necessarily to be pain to morrou,
nevertheless due from the Government to the
Indians.
There are other and outstanding dt-bts con
tracted, within the four years past, debts due to
unpaid contractors, on accounfof Indian and
frontier claims on account of spoliations .-on
account of treaties on account of borrowed
moneys on account of Treasury Notes out
standing. 1 agree, continued Mr. Webster, with much
that is said in the Message upon the subject of
Public Debt, and the impropriety of contracting
such a debt in a time of profound peace; but it
does seem to me, added the Senator, lha; th
opinions of the President come with an ill graco
from him. For the debt is as old as the Ad
ministration. There has been no moment
when this Administration was free from debt,
and in debt on account of borrowed moneys.
The scope and tendency of the Message upon
this subject is therefore calculated to create an
erroneous impression? Why they cannot ha
brought together summed in their various items,
for many months to come.
I hope, said Mr. Webster, that the President
of the U. S. did not intend to forestal public opin
ion on this matter, and to hide tins present bv
concealing the past. I will not impute this
motive to the President, but the scope of the
Messnge is calculated to create a false issup.
I intend, said Mr. Webster, to prevent this if
can, and to prevent the President from leaving
this impression on the minds of the people.
I intend to move too lhat new books be open
ed on the 4th of March next; that there shall
be what the merchants call a rest that we shall
begin de novo, giving the Treasury full credit
for any balances accumulated there in March,
and making it responsible for its indebtedness
also.
Mr. Webster then referred to the report of
the Secretary of the Treasury, and to the fact
of his saying that though there were $4,500,
000 yet due for Treasury notes, this was less
by $23,000,000 than the amount due the Treas
ury, and deposited with the Slates. This rep
resentation also was calculated to leave an er
roneous impression on the public mind. Did
the President mean to recall, or say the three
instalments deposited with the States should
be recalled? Did the Secretary of the Treas
ury mean this? It was well known to Con
gress and the country that the Treasury had no
control of the money deposited with the States
none whatever. The money could not bo
recalled by the President or the Department,
but must be recalled by an act of Congress au
thorizing the recall of the money. The refer
ence lhat this sum belongs to the Treasury is
false, and calculated lo mislead the public
mind.
Mr. Webster proceeded to comment upon
other topics in the Message, and spoke of ihe
approaching termination of the Compromise
Act. Nothing was said of replenishing tho
Treasury on account of a diminution of reven
ue. The President contented himself with ar
dent and urgent generalities in reference to the
future, while his experience had shown him
that it was necessary to expend $27,000,000
and more beyond the actual receipts of the
Government. Such was the difference be
tween theory and experience. The new Ad
ministration was to manage the affairs of Gov
ernment without means, while the present Ad
ministration had expended $27,500,000 beyond
the receipts of the Government.
Mr. Webster spoke but for an hour, and in
conclusion, expressed the hope that the new
Administration, which had the power to pro
vide for the support of Government for 1841,
would pursue a line of conduct which would
make an extra session of Congress unnecessa
ry. The inconvenience attending such a ses
sion would be great, and the expense consid
erable. He hoped, therefore, that the Trea
sury would be left in a condition to make a
called session unnecessary.
No one rose to speak as Mr. Webster con
cluded. The question before the Senate was
upon the reference of the financial part of tho
message to the committee of finance.
Mr. Wright rose to reply, but was not pre
pared, and solicited a further postponement, un
til to-morrow.
"Postpone," said Mr. Webster, and such
was the order of the Senate.
Mr. Calhoun followed with a motion to ad
journ, and at an early hour the Senate ad
journed.
Tlie Iast Murder in New Jersey.
The New York Sun states that the name of
the murdered gentleman was R. Ruthford, that
he was formerly a merchant at Jnhnsnrihnrf. I
N. J., and that his body was found near Jug-
town, warren county, IN. J., deposited under a
coffin where another person had been buried
previously.
Imports.
Tho Madisonian states that there havo beun
five years in our history sirice 1815, in which
our exports have exceeded our imports. Theso
years 1820, 1825, 1827, 1S29, 1840. Thu
excess of exports over imports in 1840 U
$26,7G6,069. This is quito remarkable. It is
owing, doubtless, to our great indebiedne.-
abroad; and since wo are largely indebted, the
above indication may be regarded as a, conva
lescent one, though probably 12 to $15,000,
000 of havo gone to pay interest.
An Execution.
A man named Charles Cook, was executed
at Schenectady on Friday last, for tho murder
or Mrs, Merry in Obtober.
Flour was soil
-- -xiimg .Lsu.ivjii, nil ma iuuij
$3 25. a $3 50.' Pork at $3 a'$3 50.
'r -f'.