into effectual practical operation the great I
principles of economy and reform,—the
only true and solid basis on which those
who administer the affairs of republican
governments, can rest their claims to pop
ular confidence and support.
DAVID R. PORTER.
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, t
sth January, 1842.
REPORT
Of the Select Committee of the House of
Representatives, relative to the 814 ject
of repudiating the payment of the Pub
lic Debt.
MR. WRIGHT, from the Select Commit
tee to whom was referred the proceed
togs of a meeting held in the city of
Philadelphia on the 30th (lay of Decem
ber, 1841, on the subject of repudiating,
the payment of the Public Debt, madel
report, viz:
That, from the fact that the meeting at
the court house in the city of Philadelphia,
was held by citizens ot the State, lawful
ly assembled, they feel bound to treat the
subject with that respect, at least, which
parliamentary rules require, however they
may differ in opinion with the persons
who participated in its proceedings. The
Constitution of the State and the inesti
mable Bill ot Rights, our great Magna
Charta, which forms a part of it, declares
that "The citizens have a right, in a pea
ceable manner, to assombte together fur
their common good, and to apply to those
invested with the power of government
for redress of grievances, or other proper
purposes, by petition, address or reihms
trance."
This rule being laid down by the fun
damental law of the land, bingo the pro
ceedings of the meeting properly before
the ltw•making power of the Common
wealth-Iml is binding upon the L-gisla.
lure to at least receive the proceedings.
The right of petition is inviolate. So
should it be regarded. And the person
who complains of a grievance has a right
to be heard ; and should this constitution
al provision be disregarded, the Legisla
ture would be guilty of as flagrant a vio
lation of law, as in the opinion of your
committee, the persons who participated
in the town meeting of Philadelphia were,.
of that good order and moral conduct, sc
essential to the perpetuation of our free
government.
Granting then, that they have a right to
be heard, and conceding too, that the sub
ject of their meeting was constitutionally
a "proper" one—your committee next ex
amine its merits, if it have any, and the
influences it is calculated to produce on
the general welfare of the country. Its
merits, are all demerits as relates to the
public faith—and its influence, as its par
ticipators, it is alleged, have character for
morality, integrity and patriotism, are of
the worst possible tendency. But conce
ding that the meeting was composed of
respectable citizens, a most strange and
unaccountable spectacle is presented, tor
the first time in this Commonwealth, of
an attempt to repudiate the State debt.—
In other words, to say to our foreign and
domestic creditors, who have from time
to time, advanced funds to carry on the
affairs of the government, and to construct
our works of internal improvement, you
shall neither be paid your principal nor
interest: A doctrine certainly of the
meat abhorrent character:
Your committee cannot but regard the
measure if carried into practice, as but a
torch to kindle the embers of a revolution;
the commencement of a state of things as
much to be deplored as though a foreign
foe were upon our borders. Where did
this disposition to create a want of con•
fidence in the public faith and credit mi.
ginate? Who are its advocates? What
is to be accomplished by it? Is it not, in
fact, a plan set afloat by the mad and
reckless schemes of wild speculation in
the State stocks?—llesigned to weaken
the public opinion in the integrity and
honesty of the government, that a few un
til incipled stock-jobbers might speculate
upon the timidity and fears of the holders
of the State loans ; or is there a bolder
game of agrarianism, which aims at the
destruction of the monuments of industry
and enterprize every where to be seen in
the Commonwealth, for the purpose of
wholesale plunder? If the persons parti
cipating in this meeting were influenced
by good motives, they are to be pitied ; if
by bad ones, their course cannot be too
severely condemned. What are their ar
guments? One of the resolutions declares.
"that in the contracting of the so called
State debt, the faith of the Commonwealth
has been unconstitutionally and illegally
pledged. and the people are under no mo•
rat, legal, or political obligation to bear
any burden of taxation or make any sac
rifice of personal comfort to keep it un
broken." Another, in substance, that the
Constitution confers no power upon the
Legislature to construct works of inter
nal improvemet, or to contract loans; and
that they will resist the collection of tax•
es imposed by law for the payment of the
State liabilities. As to the authority of
the State Legislature to borrow money, or
construct works of internal improvement,
your committee deem it unnecessary to
enter Into any argument.
It will be sufficient to say, that the
power of the State is sovereign and su
preme in all matters not forbidden by the
Constitution, or that may not conflict with
the Constitution of the United States.—
Anil in that sovereign capacity, its Legis
lature may contract loans, issue certifi
cates of ;stock, and do any matter or
thing not prohibited ;n express terms by
the Constitution. IF, then, no powers of
this k.uti are cunferred, they,are certain-/
ly not prohibited. in addition to this,
the Supreme Court of this State, which is
the constitutional tribunal, has put this
question to rest. Would it not, then,
seem conclusive, that the Legislature had
absolute power over the subject? 'That
their act was binding; and, as such, their
laws should be enforced 1 Besides this,
however, there has been a peaceful and
willing acquiescence, by the citizens at
large, during the time the State debt has
been gradually augmenting; and the peas
'pie themselves, by repeated expressions
at the ballot boxes, have decided in favor
of the measures of internal improvement,
and instructed their representatives, in
General Assembly met, to vote for ap
propriations of money to extend them.—
The whole question has been one of pub
lic notoriety, and in which all have parti
, cipated.
What an exhibttion does this plan of
repudiation present to the other States of
the confederacy, and to the world ? A
sovereign and independent Government
defrauding its creditors, and violating
every principle of common honesty and
justice! The influence of Pennsylvania
on the Union is powerful. Its acts and
operations vibrate from Maine to Georgia
--from the Atlantic to the Lakes. Her
central position, her wealth and power,
give to tier an importance that should cau
tion her citizens against the adoption of
pernicious measures. Spare the refleco
tion that will be made by the universal
world, that the land of our fathers has
forsaken the ways and examples they set
before us, and permit not our beloved
Commonwealth to become theme of re
proach, a by-word!
There is no moral influence, or patriot
ic devotion to the country and its laws,
that will appeal to the resistance of the
Statute Book. And yet, the resolutions
under consideration say, "that we will
unitedly and determinedly resist, by all
constitutional and legitimate means, the
collection of the present, or any future
tax, levied for the purpose of paying eith
er the interest or principal of the so call
ed State debt." What the authors of the
resolutions call "constitutional and legit
imate means," to-day, may be called open
rebellion to-morrow. It is the entering.
wedge, and who can but believe, that if
the promulgators of such doctrine, hail
the power in their hands to resist tht col
, lection of taxes, that it would not be in
stantly done? Resist taxation ! Resist
the operation of the law of the land! Nul
lify the law, and there is an end to the
government. It presents the peaceable
administration of civil policy and obedi
ence on the one side, and on the other,
open and violent force. Called, it is true,
by the mild name of "constitutional and
legitimate resistance!" Inculcate by pre
cept and example, the violation (done /ate,
and all others become weak, futile and
inoperative. - How truly so, in a country
where men are educated to govern them.
selves. The highest duty the citizen has
to perform to his country, is the strict obs
aervance of her laws. Here, public opin
ion is the great lever by which the con
duct of men is regulated, and the science
of government directed. Vitiate that,
corrupt the public mind, and a state of
disastrous consequences is the inevitable
and certain result. All experience shows
it. No one can doubt it.
The same bill of rights which declares
that, "all men are born equally free and
independent, and have certain inherent
and indefeasible rights, among which are,
those of enjoying and defending life and
liberty, of acquiring, possessing and pro
tecting property and reputation, and of
preserving their own happiness," also de
Glares that "no standing army shall, in
time of peace, be kept up without the con
sent of the Legislature," allowing at a
glance, that the founders of the govern•
ment relied on the integrity and intelli
gence of the people, and that the laws
would be obeyed without a resort to the
coersive power adopted by despots and
tyrants, where the decree of the legisla•
tar• is enforced at the point of the bayo•
net.
It is the first instance in this govern
ment, where the sentiment has gone forth,
that, “the people are under no moral, le
gal, or political obligation, to bear any
burden of taxation, or make any sacrifice
of personal comfort to keep the faith of
the State unbroken." It is to be hoped
it will be the last. It is, virtually, a di
rect appeal to rebel, to throw themselves
under that same constitution, (with false
notions of their rights,) which is their only
safeguard, and the bulwark of the State
government.
Your committee cannot conceive of a
more mischievous plan of operations, than
the one recommended by the meeting
which adopted these resolutions. The
stock of Pennsylvania is mostly held by
foreigners, and for which, they have paid
a valuable consideration. To pay it is a
point of national honor. What would be
the consequences of repudiation) Where
is the enterprising trailer upon the high
seas who would b safe in his property or
person 1 Either would be liable to seiz
ure. Theand stripes at the mast.
stars •
head, which now is our mariners' guide
1 and safeguard on every ocean, would no
longer be regarded by the envious eye of
the world, as the proud emblem of that
people who have knowledge and virtue
enough to govern themselves, but rather
as the flag of a mercenary band, who ha
ving obtained by deceit and fraud and
falsehood the wealth of other nations,
have neither the magnanimity nor the ho
nor to repay!
God forbid that the faith and honor and
credit of this great Commonwealth should
ever become the subject of reproach in the
I mouths of monarchs! And Pennsylvania,
toe, the first in the confederacy in wealth
and influence—the keystone of the fetter.
al arch—the right arm of the republic--
represented in the glorious constellation
of the immortal thirteen which first struck
for independence, should hereafter be ac
' cused at the great bar of nations, for hay.
ing broken her faith and coward-like
shrunk from the payment of her just debts.
• How humiliating the thought! Should
I not the terror of the popular voice be bro't
to bear with such force on sucu doctrines,
as to forever seal the lips of the mouths
that uttered them?
Let till strict observance of the plight
ed faith of Pennsylvania be the watch
word of her citizens—and let our dille
dren be taught to regard it as the best in
heritance of their fathers.
Your committee recommend the lot.
lotting resolutions:
Resolved, What the State stock issued
by virtue of the laws of this Common
wealth is constitutionally correct, and
that the citizens of the State are legally
and morally bound to pay and redeem the
same.
Resolved, That the faith and credit of
the State does.remain as heretofore un
broken, and that the property of the citi
zens is legitimately the subjects of taxa
tion, for the full and entire payment of
all the just demands o■ the Treasury
thereof.
Resolved, That the doctrine of repudi
ation of the liabilities of this Common
wealth, is obnoxious in its tendencies and
calculated to be destructive of the free
principles on which the government is
based, and that every good citizen is
bound by all moral as well as legal con
siderations, to cheerfully contribute his
share towards the liquidation of the State
debt.
COUNTY TEMPERANCE CONVEN.
TION,
In pursuance of resolutions adopted at
' a Temperance Convention, held at Holli•
day sbarg on the 28th and 29th of October
last, that it was expedient to hold a coun
ty Temperance convention in the Borough
of Huntingdon, and important to organize
a county Temperance Society, the under
signed having been appointed a committee
ti fix the time of holding such Convention
and to adopt measures to effect the objects
contemplated in holding it ; respectfully
inform the public that they have appoint
ed the third day of February next, (at
ten o'clock A. M.) for the holding of such
Convention in the Borough of Hunting
don, and expect it to continue two days
it is hoped and desired that as large dole
ations, as possible, will attend from the
difirent societies in favor of forming a
county society, and that they will coin
repared with written statements showing
the commencement, progress, state, num
bers and prospects of their respective so
cieties.
All friends of temperance, every indi.
vidual who is in favor of his fellow being
retaining and being enabled to use the,
powers of body and of mind, with which
he has been gifted by his Creator—every
person, who wishing well his fellow man, !
desires to stay—to uproot the desolating.
vice of intemperance—the destroyer of
self respect, of usefulness, of peace and
happiness, of body and of soul —every one
opposed to and desirous of avoiding the'
immense amount of loss to and tax on the
body politic, necessarily consequent on the
habitual use of intoxicating liquors in the
community—each and every individual
whose conscience tells him that the habit
ual use of intoxicating drink as a bever.
age is in an evil,--one and all, are respect
lolly requested, and solicited to attend;
thereby while furthering their own true
interests and discharging their' duty to
themselves and their Creator, giving the
weight and benefit of their example and
character to that moral influence which
alone can relieve us from the curse of In
temperance. _
James M. Bell,
Thomas Burchnell,
A 1/ Span g,
ifilliam II est,
John Clark,
Henry Retgarl,
A .S'ollacley,
John Crum,
Daniel M'Connell,
James D. Rea.
Dec. 28 1841. Committee.
Stray Cattle.
g ri A ME to the residence o
IL/ the subscriber, livingin
1 k am Mor ris
abouttownship,
the near
ls to
, r 1
Forge,
Octo
ber last, the fo llowing described cattle,
viz:
1 Red and White Cow, with bell
on, four years old.
1 Black Ileifyer, 3 years old,
3 Spotted do. 2 years old,
1 do. do. 1 year old.
1 do. Bull, do. do.
The owner is requested to come forward,
prove property, pay charges, and take
them away, or they will be disposed of
according to law.
CHRISTIAN LOW.
Dee. 8, 1841.
Native
Is hereby given to those concerned, that
the partnership heretofore existing between
J. & J. Brewster, has been dissolved for
some time past.
JOTIN BREWSTER.
Jan, 5, 1842,
THE JOURNAL.
One country,one conetitntion one destiny
Huntingdon, Jan. 19. I 542.
trr We return our thanks to our friends
Mathers of the Senate and Moore of the l
I-louse for their kind attention in sending
us public documents. Cr.!r The State
'Treasurer's Report was not, however,l
complete,•—we only received the halt of
it.
Pent Va. Legislature.
In the Senate on Saturday Bth inst., but !
little was done, except balloting several
times for a printer of Bills ; and discuss
ing of Repudiating Resolutions. In the
House, a discussion was had as to the pro.,
iety of closing the Hall on the Sabbath,!
because the House was filled with boys
and idlers. (Had they not better keep it
closed on week days for the same reason)
—a Bill was introduced to repeal the Ilth
Section of the act for the election of coon•
ty Treasurers.
In the Senate on Monday the commit
tee un the subject of repudiating resolti •
Lions, was read and adopted unanimously,'
and was strongly against the sentiments of
the repuditors. John Shaeffer of centre
county. B. Mattock and Samuel P. Lilly
were nominated as associate Judges in
their several counties. A resolution was
offered providing for the sale of the Co.
lumbia Rail Road, and the Delaware Ca
nal. It was so amended that the Internal
Improvement committee are to enquire
into the expediency of selling the public
works. G. A. Sage, was elected printer
of the Bills. In the House the report on
the repudiating resolutions was read and
adopted unanimously (see another column),
Mr. Stevens reported a bill regulating
tavern licences in Adams county.
In the Senate on Tnesday, considerable
discussion was had on the condition of
the Pennsylvania Bank Stocks. Direc.
tors for the different institutions were
nominated. lu the House a resolution
was offered in favor of altering the con
stitution, so that the Gov. can hold his of
fice but one Term. The Bill for the pay
ment of the loan of last session, and for
the resumption of specie payments—and
for the sale of the Bank Stock, or issue
of certificates of loan passed by commit.
tee of the whole. It will come up on sec
ond reading on Wednesday, 19th inst.
Some talking was had on one of Porters
vetoes—that relative to the $2OOO fees.
In Senate on Wednesday a resolution
was passed enjoining upon Congress to
pass immediately the apportionment bill.'
In the afternoon they agreed to att end
the Temperance convention. In the
House, them was but little of account
done, most of their time being employed
in preliminary matters.
lii the house on Thursday, they had
a considerable argument on the subject of
attending the Temperance convention.
Mr: McCallan, rejoiced at the success of
the cause and hoped it would never be
used for political purposes. Mr. Stevens
thought that men in, as well as those out
oloffice needed the influence of Teperanee
and he wanted the members to go in a
body and shew their opposition to that,
which destroyed health, wasted the sub
stance 4. blastedthe reputations of thous
sands .The resolution was carried 75 ayes
21 noes: A resolution was offered, directing
the judiciary committee to enquire into,
the expediency of abolishing imprisonment
for debt—after some debate it passed.
In the Senate on Friday a long debate
was hail on resolution to set apart, Penn
sylvania's part of the proceeds of the pub
lic lands as a sinking fund toward the
payment of the state debt. Before the
question was taken, the Senate went to
the Hall of the House to open and ex
amine election returns—ln the House lit
tle wao done.
On Monday Jacob Man of Bedford was
elected State Treasurer on joint Wallet in
opposition to the candidate of the barn
burners, Anderson of Perry county.
Congress.
Our colons at Washington, are still dis
puting about the Exchequer Bill; but no
definite action is had thereon. The general
impression now seems to be that the bill,
nor any thing of the kind will pass. We
inimagine that the session will be spent
as usual in a war of words; and a little'
Iduellirg and preparing for another Presi-1
dential contest. At least such is our fin
pression• Judging from the past, congress l
will do nothing which is caculated in any
!respect to better the present' wretched
condition of our currency. Political chi
canery has usurped the place of patriotism ,
Instead of struggling to support the public i l
weal, the greater part contend for private
agrandizement or power. We are often
asked what is congress doing ? We an
swer nothing! Nothing but a continual
struggle for, and against party plans and
pat ty measures. If one party suggest any
thing of course the other oppose it and
vice, tem ; and at the end of the session
each one goes home content with what he
has received from the public Treasury.
It is said, that Buchanan had signified
his willingness to go for Tylers fiscal no
tions, provided Tyler would veto the Bill,
or Bills of the last session. The sequel
proves that federal Jimmy, has left the
['resident sticking in the mire, and as in
a very definite manner declared himself
opposed to the Exchequer bill. That's
Just what Tyler might have expected, if
he had borne in mind his course to his old
federal friends.
Porter's Libellers.
The "Standard" had supposed, that,
after the triumphant re-electron of Por
ter, every body would be bound to con
cede, at once, to him, a purity of morali
ty possessed only by angels of a bright
er world. It copies then, some remarks
made by the Lewistown Republican, and,
of course, endorses it.
We have but little to sa) on (lie sub
ject; our opinions and (he opinions ot the
people of this county have been long pro•
claimed ; and, for any of the residents of,
this county, where the court records are
the monuments ot his shame, it is a little.
strange. For such to talk of the inoral
character of David R. Porter, and to talk
of his libellers, is a little too much. His
mcral character, indeed ! His immoral
character would be far better.
It is not many months since we called
on some of the partisans of the 'Standard'
to answer us a few questions on that sub
ject. Will the "Standard" now enter
the arena, and take up the weapons of de
fence for Mr. Porter ? Now, after you
pretend that public opinion has twice pro.
claimed him innocent—dare you do it ?
When you allude to the falsehoods
about Mr Porter we cannot understand
the allusion, unless you intend to say,
that he is not a fraudulent Insolvent, and a
violater of the Insolvent's oath —that it is
a falsehood to say tnat he plead the Stat.
ue of Limitations on some of his old
debts since he has been reputed worth
$50,000. We cannot, we say, under
stand what they mean. Will the Stan.
lard have the goodness to tell us, wheth
er they consider it slander to tell the
truth about Porter (?) and whether it is
not true, that he did take the benefit and
hide his property ? and whether he did
not, since, refuse to pay debts contracted
previous to his insolvency 1 and whether
the plea of the Statue of Limitations is
not recorded on our court Docket on one
of those old debts ? Do answer us, we
are anxious to know what kind of an es
timate to put your character for truth.
Repudiation—the Report.
In another column will be found the
Report of the Committee of the House,
on the disgraceful doctrines promulgated
by the meeting in Philadelphia city, on
the subject of the State debt. This, we
believe, is the first and only meeting ever,
held in this State where the agrarian and
revolutionary opinions of repudiation
have ever been upheld ; and we are re•
joiced to see the schemes of designing
knaves, meet with a proper repulse from,
our Legislative 'Rails. They call upon
liar law makers to refuse to pay money
borrowed and expended by the State, aim•
ply, because, the debt has now become a
little larger than they have desired. But
why need we write on the subject. The
Report says more in its comprehensive
lines, than we could write, if we filled
Air paper, Read it, every Pennsylvani
an ; and when you have read it, you will
think as we do, that the man who advo
oates such infamous notions as are con•
tamed in the resolutions of that meeting
must be either a madman or a speculating
knave.
Love of the People.
At the last session of our Legislature,
a bill was passed giving to the people the
right to elect the canal commissioners.
Gov. Porter carried that bill in his pock
et or somewhere else during the recess,
and upon the meeting of the Legislature,
this winter, sent in a veto. Thus evincing
his determination to keep out of the hands
of the people the election of their officers .
He will not trust the people to choose
their own men to guard their interests,
but he will do it for them, and this he calls
love of the people !
His canal commissioners have, during
the last summer paid, for the compara
tively small break on the Delaware Canal
One hundred and fifty thousand dollars
and yet he will not agree that the people
shall have the right to select their own
officers to guard such expenditures. Will
Dr. Espy, the Venartgo county Treasurer.
and present Auditor General, go on there
and gather up a gang of their State thieves
and try to see how much of that was
stolen or squandered 1 His zeal was
manifested in this county two or three
years since on the "big break." Could
he not try his skill on the little break
which cost the State half as much. Could
not his love for the people's interest send
s him there to teach his lacqueys how they
could pillage a little more. His patron
and toaster, David, does not like the no
lions of Inquisitorial Committees. His
love for the people is so great. Does he
fear that a committee might investigate
the expenditures on that break ? Will
the people bear in mind these evidences
of Porter's affection for them.
state Finances.
Our readers will find below, the Report
of the receipts aral expenditures of our
State, during tl.e last fiscal year. It will
not prove uninteresting to them, we feel
confident, as they can there see in a very
comprehensive manner, the sources of
revenue, and causes of expenditures.
Let It be exatrsined with no little care.
It will be seen that the receipts from
our public improvements, exceedt. but
very little, one million, while its expen
ses exceed THREE MILLIONS. Some
thing more than three times as much,
When do they expect that their debt can
be lessened, when such a state of fact e
meet their eyes 7 Would it not be bet
ter that some of the money now squan
dered along the line of canal, to enrich
party
,favorites, by fat contracts on old
locks and new bridges, or by the employ
ment of ten day men to vote at every pet
ty election, should be savad to pay stat e
debts ? Farmers, do you not think that
there is something needed along our lines
of Improvements, to render them produc
tive, or a source of revenue to the State?
It some other plan than the present was
adopted, do you thick that any officer
whose daily pay is only $2 50 per day
could make himself wealthy in three or
four years 7 Yet, cannot you see some
such causes ? Why is it that the expen
ses of our canals and railroads increase
faster titan the amount of their tolls 1 It
is so, and every man who examines thorn
annually will know it. If you would re
trench their expenses take the appoint.
ment of their officers out of the hands of
the Governor, then there will not be so
much of your money squandered to se
cure the election of any man to that of
fice. Take it yourselvt s—elect your own
men, and the repairs will cost one half
less.
Receipts and Payments at the Slate Treas.
ury, during the fiscal year ending 3014
Noaember, 1841.
RECEIPTS.
Loan per act of
1 taiJune 18
40 $146,36g 15
Loan per act of
16th Jan. 18-
41 800,000 00
Loan per act of
4th May 18-
41, 1,741,650 68
Loan per act of
6th May '4l, 674,918 13
Charter loan
per resolu
tion of sth.
May 1841, 340,981 00
-$ 3 ,704,911 96
Canal tolls, 8498,422 89
Railroad " 263,937 55
Motive power 293,034 16
--- 1,055,394 60
Auction com
missions, 812,700,00
duties, 77,022 15
Dividends on
bank stock,
on turnpike
e bridge and
navigation
stocks,
Tax on bank
dividends
" Writs, der.,
" Cei tain
flees,
" Corporation
stocks per act
11th June, '4O,
Tax on Real and
personal estate,
per art 1101,
Jgne, ;840,
118,091 90
89,622 15
80,355 72
96,921 61
28,571 62
6,419 00
37,338 92
33,,92 77