Deferred bond account, - $646,254 83
Cash retained - - - 201,097 40
Cash retained - - - 80,769 53
Overdrawn emoluments - - 60,291 42
Retained forfeitures - - - 89,323 12
Retained amount of warrants 39,240 05
1,087,475 35
164,010 60
- 1,783 24
- - 166 44
Deposite account balance
Tonnage balance -
Error account balance
$1,233,485 63
The result of a very laborious investi.
gition, undertaken by the So!miter at the
Treasury and the first Comproller, are
contained in a letter, frcm them, which
when we have room, we will spread at
large before our readers. The following
are the most important of the facts ascer
tained.
The deficit of Mr. Swartwout 'at the
end of each successive year was as follows
On the 31st December, 1830, $622 34
On the 3 1st December, 1831, 1,168 87
On t'ie Slat December, 1832, 50,801 33
On the 31st December, 1833. 35498 54
On the Slat December, 1834, 50,370 04
On the 31st December 1835 137,061 69
On the 31st December, 1836 336,713 69
On the 31st December 18371,016.955 32
On the 28th March 1838, 1,225,705 69
• * * * It will thus be seen that
the deficit of Mr. Swartwout existed in
the following different funds.
Tonnage du ties
Forfeitures
Treasury warrants
Office expenses
Cash to be refunded to mer
chants
Cash to meet 'protests'
Cash deposited to meet the
unaacertained duties,'
Band account,
0 1 ,226,,C0 69
, Mee..
rafted States and Pennsyl-
valeta.
We copy below a letter from Governor
RITXER to Mr. Van Buren, in answer to
one which he had received from the See
tetary of War, respecting the requisition
made the Governor on the President,
for military aid to suppress the riots at
Harrisburg. PI , e would like to publish
the Secretary of Trar's letter, but cannot
find room for it; he however declined to
comply with the Governor's requisition,
because the commotion "grew out of apo
litical contest," and "ux-officill" infor
mation led him to doubt the Governor's
statements. Tae think that the subjoin
ed letter mast have slung a little.
York Republican.
Ex ECLITIVE DEPARTDIENT,
Harrisburg, Dec. 14, 1838
To Hie Excellency, Martin Van Buren,
President of the United States.
Sia,l have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of a letter from the Secretary at
War, dated on the 11th inst., in reply to
my letter of the 7th addressed to you.
Abstaining al together at this time from
say discussion of the duty which, under
the Constitution of the United States, de
volves on the Executive of the Union in
such a state of things as has occurred, I
deem it incumbent on me, in justice to
the people of Pennsylvania, and its con.
otitated authorities, respectfully but firm
ly, to protest against the course which,
according to the letter of the Secretary
at War, leas been adopted, and the means
used to obtain information for the gui
dance of that Department.
The Executive of Pennsylvania, with
a due sense of his responsibility, applied
to the President of the United States to
know if he might rely on the aid which the
Constitution directs hint to afford against
domestic violence, at a time when the
Legislature was not and could not be
convened. When this application was
made the Legislature was prevented front
meeting by domestic violence. The case
contemplated by the Constitution, there
fore, in spirit and in letter had ariseth
In this state of things, I regret to find
that the Secretary at War, has thought it
within the line of his duty, to regulate his
conduct and yours by information and in
telligence derived from other sources
•"not official." When I assure you that
the restoration of the Legislature of Penn
sylvania to the undisturbed exercise of
itu functions has not yet been effected,
you will perceive, in the event of my ha
ving failed to suppress domestic violence,
by how unsafe a rule the Executive of the
Union has thought it advisable to regulate
his conduct.
Happily for the honor of this Cori:mon
wealth, more happily for the honor of the
Executive of the Union, the necessity of
your interposition, which existed when
my letter of the 7th inst., was addressed
to you has been obviated. A constitu- '
tional requisition having been made on
the citizen soldiers of this Commonwealth
it was promptly regarded, the authorities
to whom it was addressed not pausing to
inquire whether an emergency had oc
curred, and not allowing their compliance
tedepend on extrinsic information deri
ved from sources "not official."
Wor,bas .the Secretary at War been
misled in this particular alone. Relying
on the unofficial information by which he
has bees guided, lie has assumed that the
recent insurrectionary movements at this
teat of gosernment "has not arisen from
any opposition to the laws, but grew out
of a political contest between different
members of tin Governraent.l--Thero is
not at this moment, nor has there ever taking the chair, and violently ejected
been any "political contest between differ• from the hall by the mob:
ent members of this Government," and In the meantime, a body called a 'Com
had there been, it would have been ad- mittee of safety,' had been appointed by
justed without the interposition, solocited the rioters, and seemed to exercise utt
er unsolicited, of the General Govern- limited control over them. They made
ment, or any of its officers. I regret, the most inflammatory appeals to the cit
therefore, that the Secretary at It ar has izens of the state at a distance, and when
been misled by his confidence in other in- ti small guard had been placed by the kee
formation than such as was strictly official, per and by my orders in the arsenal, to
and which, unlike that on which fie had prevent the public arms from falling into
relied, he might know to be authentic. the hands of rash or indisposed persons.
. 'The Capitol of this Commonwealth was they were compelled to evacuate the buil
invaded by an. organized body of men, ding under terms dictated by the mob,
claiming to act against the constituted au- with the conncurrence of the 'Commit.
thorities of the State. To protect the tee of safety' During The occurrence of
Senate of Pennsylvania, the only body of those disgraceful events neither branch of
whose organization 1 am yet informed, the ;legislature could held a regular see
the authority, ordinary and extraordinary, stun, the Executive Chamber and State
vested in me, was wholly inadequate. Department veers closed, and canfusion
By the agency of this organized and tu- and alarm :pro ailed the seat of govern
multous body, the functions of this Gov- ment.
eminent were suspended. *hat resem- In 'this fearful state of aflhirs I felt it
blance the unofficial advisers of the Sec- my duty to issue a proclamation, calling
rotary at war may see in the invasion of on all the civet authorities to exert them
the Capitol by an organized and insurrec-;selves for the restoration of law and or
tionary force to a "political contest be-'der, and on the militia to keep themselves
tween members of the same Government," in instant rediness to march to the seat of
of course have no means of ascertaining. government to surpress the violence. I
That there are individuals who view the also issued an cider on the Major Gener
calamitous occurrence of the last week, 'al of the first division of the State mill
et this-place, with regret or disapproba- tia, to march his command to Harrisburg
tion, I have no doubt. I only regret forthwith, and made a recpiisition on the
that the Secretary at War, whose distin- commanding officer of the U. S. troops at
guislied position and high . personal as well Carlisle, to bring his force to the aid of
as official character, no one acknowled- the constituted authorities. At the same
gee more readily than I do, should in time the President of the U. States was
such an emergency have thought it right informed of the state of afthirs, and re
to act according to counsels, which, had quired to take such steps under the forth
the issue proved different, would have section of the fourth article of the Consti
been the means of reflecting discredit on tution of the U. States as might seem
the Executive of the Union. 'proper. This last named measure sv:is
adopted, that if matters proceeded to ex-
As a Chief Magistrate of a State of this
Union, I deem it my duty, with assuran
tremity, might appear that every proper
_ p xecutive.
ces of the highest personal and official l and recaution had been testa-
possible
consideration, to present these views to red: to by the B
you, in order that hereafter, should und The result of those several applications
'h a ppily such a relation again subsist be- are known to you. With regad to that
t ween State and - Federal authorities, (made to the Federal Government, I will
the prefer Nice given in this instance to ; not now speak, further than to say, that
unofficial anti suspected means of infor- 'having made it in the regular and Con
motion, may not ;.'e drawn into a prece- stitutional discharge of rfficial duty, I
dent, or be construed toauthorize a refu- felt bound, as a Chief Magistrate of Penn
sal or neglect on the rat
the a'
of the National 13ylvania, to protest against the reception
Government to effort !
esistance it is it met with, and the highly imprope re
bound to render to the States, 11.11 and ply made to it.
each of them, and then to justify..`t by a
to t Fo
he rtucitizennately, howe soldiers ver,
of th e Cm the appeal
umon
made
of
credulous reliance on other imean.
e wealth was heard, without doubt of its
communication and intelligence, than di,
"ecessity or delay in obedience.
Constitution and Laws recognize.
I have the honor to be, respectfully, e presence of Major Gen. Patter-
Your a ,:sd subsequently of Major General
obedient servant,
son's,
JOS. RITNER. Alexander 'a command, completely accom
plished the o . ‘jeet in view. Their num
bersto frown down every
were sufficiet:'
thing like open violeno4 while their cor
rect and soldierly depo t !an
4e ent obtained
of
the confidence the modem par
ties. Under protection of their . Presence,
the members of the LegisLature freA
to settle their own difierenci.'s in,`.itch
own manner. With regard £to tic resu,,'
of their deliberations of course I, as en
Executive officer, can express no opionion
My only duty was to take measures to
ensure its accomplishment, by the free a-
Igency of the members themselves, and
when that was eficted to dismiss the mili
tary force.—This has accordingly been
done, and the hope is sincerely entertain
ed that a resort to similar protection may
never again be required.
To the citizens of the State generally,
the events of the last three weeks are
fraught either with instruction or with
fearful omen, as they may be treated. If
from them we learn the danger of depar
ting from
- law and right, even in the
slightest degree, or to accomplish the most
desirable object, and Wall make up their ;
minds, hereafter to frown upon every ori
ginator or advocate of such min rectiona
ry movements, the lesson will be invalua
ble, and the present disgrace productive
of lasting benefit. But if a repetition of
the outrage be countenanced and mob
threats become the rule of Legislation,
then it requires little political sagacity to
foretell the speedy downfall of our fiber
erty, and to complete the prostration of
all rights. The desperado who enters a
Legislative Hall to-day with his bullies,
to compel the admission of a single mem
ber, will assuredly and perhaps on the
morrow demand the passage of a law to
promote his private interest at the ex
pense of others. Nor will it be long be
fore he uses the same means in a court of
justice, to escape punishment or cheat his
neighbor. Then the difference between
; guilt and innocence, the value of title
deeds and the sacredness of all rights, will
be only nominal. Might will be right,
and the minority and the timid, slaves.
The evil effects of the late disorder will
I fear be immediately felt in the pecunia
ry credit of the Commonwealth, unless
you, her Representatives act promptly
and efficiently. Well may Capitalists
and creditors doubt the faith of a commu
nity, to them when that cominunity
faithless to its own dearest rights. It
therefore becomes your imperative duty,
• Gentlemen, not only to your posterity,
and to the majesty of the laws, but to
yourselves and your own immediate in
terests, to say to the world that similar
outrages shall not again take place, and
that what has happened, is the work of
only a few desperate men anti not of the
people of this great state. This it seems
to me cats be accomplished by the enact
ment of severe laws against all riotous or
violent proceedings at the seat of Gov
ernmeneduring the session of the Legis
lature, and by compelling the county or
counties whose citizens shall be origina•
tors or ring leaders of such proceedings
to pay all the loss caused by them and ex
pense emitted in their suppression,
61,783 24
39,823 12
29,240 05
60,20 I 42
80,769 53
192,866 46
164,177 04
646,734 83
0a -
MESSAGE.
TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPR E
SENTATIV ES OF THE C 0 MUOIVIVEA LTH
OF PENNSYLVANIA
FELLOW-CITIZENS
The annual message to the legislaturel
was prepared on the 4th inst . for the pres
entation. But the scenes of contusion
which then commenced add which !contin
ued to disgrace the seat of government
till a few days ago, prevented its delive
ry. In /transmitting it
. now, I feel com
pelled by every motive of official duty as
chief magistrate, and of patriotism as a
citizen, to preface it with a brief detail of
the facts connected with the recent out-I
'rage, and to call upon you, as you love
order and your rights and venerate the
institutions of your country, to adopt ev
ery possible means to prevent .the recur- 1
rence of similar disorders.
On the day appointed by the constitu
tion for the meeting of the legislature, the
members of the House of Representatives
attended to organise that body; but owing
to a dispute relative to certain returns,
two Speakers were chosen, and two Hous
es organised. This was, however, done
peacefully, and if the members of both
' branches had been left in the free exer
cise of their minds and their rights, the
difference probably would soon have been
settled. But :when in the afternoon of
same7day, the annual session of the Sen
ate was commenced a mob of lawless and
daring persons were found to be in atten
dance, who attempted to influence and dic
tate - ths course to lie pursued by th xx body.
Certain men bers were admitted to
seats, in accordance with the 'known
Jaws of the state, but in opposition to the
will of those persons. As soon as ithis
was done the lives of Senators and others
were threactned• and loud cries were heard
commending the Senate to reconsider its
vote and adinit other claimants to seats.
To such flight did this scandalous outrage
proceed, that the senate adjourned in con
fusion, and some members of the 'legisla
ture and others, were compelled to es
cape from the chamber, unknown to the,
mob, to save their lives.
The rioters, under their leaders. some,
of whom were Federal Government offi
cers, then took possession of the Senate
chamber, find desecrated it by their insur
rectionary hauangurs, in the course of
which, and afterwards at other places, it
was announced that a revolutionary had
commenced. 'rhea they adjourned to the
court house, where the most. inflammato
ry speeches were made, and the most
dangerous proceetlinv took place. Nnt
day, and for some time afterwards, the
Senate did not meet for want of a quo
rum—the members not deeming it safe to
appear in their seats, or proper to attempt
to leislatc in the presence of the rioters
who tilled the capitol. On the same day
also, when one of the portions' of the
House of Representative attempted to
meet, the member who had been deputed
to act as Speaker, was prevented from
It will also be proper to revise the acts
of Assembly, relative to election returns,
and to render the mode of making them
so plain that no one can misunderstand or
evade them. In their existing shape,
there is some difficulty at arriving at the
true intent of the Legislature. In the
present case I have not the slightest doubt
but the duties of the proper executive of
fice' a with regard to the disputed return
was legally and faithfully performed.— -
But the subject is one of such vital im
portance that the law should be rendered
perfectly plain, and every shadow of
doubt removed.
I am 'clear in the opinion that the
whole of the late difficulties arose from
the return Judges assuming powers never
intended to be delegated to them. They
are merely ministerial officers. Their
duty is only clerical and consists exclu
sively in adding up and declaring the
whole vote polled for each candidate, wi
thin their District, and making return
thereof to the proper -officer. The law
gives them no power to eject or exclude
the vote et a District or part of a District.
It is from the unauthorised assumption of
such dangerous power that the whole of
the recent disturbances proceed. I would
therefore recommend the infliction here
after of the most severe penalties on sitni'
lar usurpations.
I shall now proceed to lay before you
the message as it was prepared to be tran
smitted on the 4th inst.
Many subjects of great interest will
occupy the time of the Legislature at its
present session.
The radical alterations which have ta
ken place in the Constitution, impose du
ties that will necessarily claim your first
attention.—The people have willed the
change, and it is the duty of Representa
tives to carry out and perfect its details.
Of prominent moment among the new
features in our organic law is that which
relates to the right of suffrage. It con
sists in, a residence of one instead of two
years within the State; of ten days actual
residence within the Dstrict in which the
elector offers to vote, (which was not re
quired formerly,) and of the payment wi
thin two years, of a tax actually assessed
on the voter, at least ten days before the
election. There are also other changes,
chiefly declaratory of passages in the old
Constitution which were not clearly ex
pressed in that instrument, hnd which do
not require recapitulation.
For years much abuse and evasion of
the Constitutional provisions, and the
laws relative to voting , have been suppo
seri by many citizens toexist. The pre
sent occasion will afford an opportunity
to guard, as far as it can be done, this in
estimable right from violation. Another
reason now demands more strict and
specific Legislation. The number of offis
cers to be directly chosen by the people
will give to the elections more of interest,
and to each individual vote more of pre
.sent and local value than they formerly
p o piessed; and will consequently subject
the power of the individual voter, which
great measure, become the di, '
power, to greater danger
from liaud Ana' th . .
alpractice than hereto.
r h e a c s t n a .;t p v o l
i . l i i: n
fore, when its inflinfluencee was more remote.
Under these eireumsta. gees it is a first
dnty of the Legislature to .`arm such a
code of Laws for the regulation of Elec
tions, as will cause their results td be
known and respected as the honestly e.` -
pressed will of the majority, and also to '
place around them such guards as shall
completely preserve peace and order du
ring the progress.
Both these desirable objects may be
accomplished by defining and establiShing
beyond cavil or evasion, the evidence of
those qualifications required by the Con
stitution, to be possessed by every elec
tor, and by ensuring the punishment of
all violaters of the peace at Elections.
Two qualifications in addition to citi
zenship, (which is as heretofore,) entitled
to a vote. Ist, Residence. sod, the pay
ment of State or county Tax. The Con
stitutional provisions with regard to nei
ther can be charged nor effected by the
Legislature; but the mode of establishing
the fact that these qualifications are real
ly possessed, in other words the evidence
can.
I would propose then that general resi
dence in the State for, and during one
year next before the day of Election, may
be proved, as heretofore, by oath, of the
party offering to vote, if there be any
doubt on the subject. This node must
necessarily be relied on, or the voter be
perhaps deprived of his right, for in many
cases he might not be able to offer any
other proof. 'Jut that the particular resi
dence for ten days, if doubted by any
qualified citizen or the District, shall be
established by the oath o• affirmation of a
resident Taxable citizen of the District,
who shall have already voted at the elec
tion, and not by the oath, or affirmation,
Of the party himself; and that the party
himself shall be obliged to swear or affirm
if required that his bona fide residence, in
pursuance of his lawful calling, is in the
parricular District,—that he at the time
of voting, has no other residence or home,
—and that he did not remove into it for
the purpose of obtaining a vote therein.
There could be no hardship in such pro
visions, tor could they deprive any of
their just rights, inasmuch as no one
could possibly reside during ten days in
one District without such fact being known
at least to one of its resident citizens.
Neither would it be oppression to require
disinterested proof of actual residence, in'
the mode proposed, because it would only
be demanding the test proof the nature of
. .
the question admits of, winch is done in
every other case.
Equally strict proof of the assessment
and payments of taxes should he execu-,
ted in all instances.
In case of persons claiming to vote on
tax assessed and paid within the District
for the current year, the assessors correc
ted list, or a certified copy of it, should
be the only evidence of assessment. Hut,
to prevent all altering of, or tempering
with assessors' lists, a certified copy of
the list in each township should be pub
lished, by being put up, and exposed at
the house at which the election is held,
nine days previous to the day of electLm.'
This would both enable each person, con
stitutionally entitled to a vote, to have.
himself assessed on the day before the list
is completed. and would also present an
opportunity to the whole District of ex
amining the list of proposed voters and of
taking means to prevent imposition.
And in cases of a right N vote claimed
on an assessment for a former year, wi
thin two years next preceding the elect
tion, and within the District, no other
proof should be admitted than the asses
sors list of the proper year, or the publish
ed copy of it just described, which might
be preserved for such use from year to
year, by being taken down at the end of
an election by the Inspector, and sealed
anin one of the ballot boxes by the Jud
db, with a certificate to that effect cndor
ed on it Ly the I nspector. The correct
nes of such a document would not be
quetioned.
(Concluded next week)
THE JO URN AL.
'One country, one constitution, one destiny'
Huntingdon Jan. 2, 1 838
Democratic Jntimasouic
CANDIDATES.
FOR PRESIDENT,
GEN.WM. - H. HARRISON
OR VICE PRESIDENT
DANIEL WEBSTER.
FLAG Or THE PEOPLE!
Kr- A single term for the Presidency, and
the office e.dministered for the whole PEO
PLE. and not for a PARTY.
V. A sound, uniform and convenient Na
tional CURRENCY, adapted to the wants of
the whole COUNTRY, Instead of the SHIN
PLASTERS brought about by cur present
RULERS.
37PCONOSIY, RETRENCHMENT, and RE
FOVIM in the administration of public affairs,
r. 4 7 •Tired of Experiments and Expert..
meaters, Republican gratitude will reward
unobrtrusive merit, by elevating the sub—
altern of iVASIIINGTON and the dosciple of
J EFFER SON. arid thus resuming the safe and
beaten track of oar Fathers,—L. Gazette.
Messrs. Bell and Cunningham, will ac
cept onr thanks, int- their attention at
Harrisburg, in sending us documents 4.. c.
A s soon as Mr. Poti . er, [our Congress
ma cl sends sus anything . , we intend to
thank him also.
011A0
To u Nbscribers—we ought . to say
patrons.
do you see, there 1
it ever 8 a dit
o
ference, int.'r is here, and d i d
occur to you that ti!'e Printer, might pos
sibly be cold utiles, se.•ue one paia trp, to
give him a chance to pay up too. Vv In
ter is here. The prini,^r to buy his,
beef and pork. (If we were in the situ
ation of some of our Loco ;Foe, contem
poraries, we should not suffer for "whole
hogs") but as it is, we have to bu V our
pork. Elery thing has to be bought, nor
is that all--it is sauced with the W r llo.
sing thought, it must be paid for. Our
patrons we know will pay up. IV ill soro
of our subscribers, enter their names
among the list of patrons. "A stitch in
time," is our doctrine, and we therefore
commence in time. Coart week will soon
be here--and it it does not bring with it a
goodly share of the 'root of evil" for our
purse, we must "suspend specie pay
ments." But not belonging to the shin
plaster concern, we have issued this
out Proclamation, to have our friends
mime, or commence, between this, and the
January court
HUNTINGDON JOURNAL,ss,
, ott , IN the name and by the Authfi
ority vested in me,
A. W. BE IM ICT.
, ' Editor and Publisher or the
said "Journal." . .
Whereas the season is tastapproaching,
when it becomes necessary for every
prudent man to lay up treasures to meet
the Wile responsibilities, which demand
his care. And whereas the only means
a Printer has of obtaining sufficient to eat
and wherewithal) to be clothed, are the,
kind support and punctual pay of his sub.
scribers. • And whereas there is now a
very large amount due to the said Jour
nal, by divers good citizens, for adverti
sing, jobbing, and subscription.
And whereas the said Journal has been
conducted with regularity and care, and
to the best of the abilities of the Editor,
and whereas he deserves not only your
names as subscribers, but also your pay.
Therefore I A. NV. Benedict, Gover
nor of the said Huntingdon Journal, have
cansed this my Proclamation to issue,
commanding, demanding, requiring, and
desiring, requesting and soliciting, that
every friend of the aforesaid Journal, who
wishes to see it go on and prosper, and
who know themselves indebted on its
books, forthwith to take measures to "Pay
the Printer, Pay the Printer"—on or be
fore January court.
Signed by the
SEG'RETARE
It is with pride and pleasure that we
call the attention of our readers to the
firm and decided stand taken, and main.
tained by the members and senators from
this county and district: Confident in
the integrity of their actions and pur
pose, they have marred neither to the
right nor left, they remained steadfast in
maintainace of the supremacy of the
laws and constitution; and they will learn
with satisfaction that their constituents
will not only sustain them, but that they
applaud their conduct.
Ilarrisburg—lts Riau•.-Jc.
During the whole of the excitement
which has existed at Harrisburg, we have
been studious in avoiding every thing that
should add fuel to the flame, or which
should cast exclusive censure upon any
party. We have given a history of near
ly all that transpired at the scene of war,
but without note or comment. The scene
of strife—and of disgrace, we believe is
now ended. We may now be considered
at liberty to draw the attention of our
readers to the affray, and its most con
spicuos actors.
That the gathering of rioters and evil
disposed persons was premedinated, none
can deny, after reading the letter of Gen.
Wolf to Secretary Woodbury, for he says
he directed his custom house officers not
to go to Harrisburg, because he ANTICI
PATED difficulties. This at once con
victs the government officers, of under
standing the thing, long before it was en
acted.
With the evidence we have published
before them our readers can easily draw
at least a tolerably correct estimate of the
facts. Who were guilty then? Those
who desired to go in strict obedience to
the law—or those who in direct violation
of all law, attempt to do by force, what
they could not do, had they abided the
decision of the law. No one who be_
lieves in the supremacy of the law will
attempt to do that by a mob which he
thinks the law will give him, it he ad
heres to its provisions. it is an admis
sion that he is wrong when he appeals to
force instead of law. You can easily de_
tide •vho have acted thus in this unfortu_
nate matter. We do not desire that oar
readers should think we entirely excul
pate out own friends. There is not
much doubt on our mind that they may
have acted Imprudently; but much of
their imprudence arose out of the excite.
ment of the scene, while we have the
positive evidence that with others it wa s
premeditated. 14e leave our readers to
draw their own conclusions.
Let us proceed to the closing scene, in
Idris disgraceful drama. Two bodies
were organized, both claiming to be the
house d Representatives, both of them
could not be; we think likely that neither
were. The one was organized by the
reception of eight members who were
,not legally returned, of course it was
not the House. In this state of affairs
n othing could be done, the Senate had no
ico-o:dinate house to act with, and the
questiosn at once arose what cut be donel
A cennin c,ttee was appointed to make such
inquiry as m ight lead them to a decision
las to which wit 3 the proper house. That
committee reported (we published the re
port last week) and upon the evidence
adduced before the committee a majority
of the Senate declared that the house
with Mr. Hopkins at its head was not le
gally organized. This was their deliber
ate opinion formed after examining all tLe
premises. In two days more the same
body resolved that it was the legally con
stituted House. Their rerolutions say.
because now organized with a quorum of
legally elected members acting with them .
If that house was not legally organized,
no matter how many meet with them, they
are not by the joining of others rendered
eiiher less or more illegal. If the cir
cumstances of those slow but sure patriots,
who went over to the enemy in the house,
made that house, the legal house, then the
participation of the fifty-two members in
the meeting of the mob made that meet
ing the legal house. The patriotic course
of the three members could not then have
been an excuse for the change of opinion