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alr. Stevens,
i tpu I Monday, Dec. 18 dr. 18, 1837.
Iftstrinnt i of Adame,said that so broad
44100 had been taken by gentlemen who
U - E,i(triltett On, the question, befoie the coil
'.*ttletts, that he should feel it neceirrary,per
• liaps,, , to travel, in the course of hie address,
't,' 'lllbistitijecti which would cause the member
• iliutt the county (Mr. Earle) to call him to
nklet 'but . he must bear such interruption
• wAtb whit philosophy he could; and then, as
littother instanc.es,he predicted that he should
be allowed to proceed. There had been
niSch.rioulding and twisting of the matter in
debate before that convention, by gentlemen
ort. the other side, for the purpose of pervert
log the public judgment, and , corruptly the
- 'Public mind. These were the desperate ob.
• Jecte and designs —lie would' not say of the
(4ilers in.that convention—but of too many
er,a certain party without, to try to fashion
Iktid lead the people to join in their dancrer
,:4itts views. The wild course or the member
•" from Susquehanna,would sever in twain those
interests which should be inseparably bound
together; and this was not the first nor the
only significant sign exhibited of such mis
taken and destructive doctrines. There was
a reckless band in this country—widely dif
• fueed but clos.dy connected—whose object
(he did not allude to gentlemen in the con.
vention, but to gentlemen without)--whose
object was to trample down laws, destroy
order, and rob the thrifty and industrious of
that protection of their property to which
they were entitled. He viewed the amend
ment supported on the other side,as one link
in that iron chain, which was now forging—
to drag down the constitution, lend power to
some few desperate demagogues—and bring
us ultimately perhaps, under the tyranny of
a &tore despot. Permanent mischief, and
principles deeply stamped with danger,were
presented in alluring colours, to fascinate
and corrupt -the public eye and the public
'heart. The general government was the
bitter fountain of all these waters. That gov
ernment had broken down all the old land.
marks of the constitution, and substituted
those boundaries which they could enlarge
Or contract at pleasure.
Mr. Earle objected that the member from
Adams was but of order.
The Chairman decided that Mr. Stevens
was in order. _
Mr. Stevens resumed. The doctricehad
_ been put forth, that no law was binding, no
act valid. no contract tenable—and that by
the general government. That doctrine had
been reiterated by the slaves of party and
the servile tools of power. And it was part
of the same scheme, that by the general goy
ernment,the most solemn mandates had been
reversed. Evian the judiciary of the federal
government' bad been made subservient to
the will of the executive, and time all the
citizens of the Uuited States, made meanly
- dependent upon its will. The fruits ofa shoot
ottliat.tree .of poison had lately been seen
sn a neighbouring state; and a cruel civil
war, s and nbloody revolution, had once been
presented by the returning good sense of
the people., and the cowardice of the trat..
tors! They had seen the most atrocious
doctrines put forth in Pennsylvania by party
- politicians. - -
In . commenting 'on some remarks which
had fallen from Mr. Ingersoll, with regard
to that gentleman's defeat in the Third Dis
trict--Mr. Stevens said, that gentleman had
consoled 'himself and his family, on account
of persecution for his principles, and he con
sidered ti at persecutienoae of the most val
ued-of his acquisitions. He (the speaker)
- was at a loss to know whyl But the mem
ber from the county had said, that similar
pentecutioto had made General Jackson
President of the United States; similar per
secutions had made Mr. Van Buren Prest.
.dent of the United States; and similar per-
Itectittons had caused the late Mr. Dallas to
.'`'"( held the most distinguis'ied public offices;
' 'besides giving his grandsons and family all
round, perpetual office from that day to this.
' He wished the gentleman well in his course;
he had no objection to it—only thnt he liked
to see men seek for martyrdom for opinion,
and not for office sake. It was placed on
record, that the 'gentleman to whom he al.
Added (Mr. Ingersoll) had stated that the
voice.of. the' people was the ,voice of God!
Then-why should any attempt to change be
- 4Cbarged upon the "voice of God," and the
gentleman had seen the changes it bad at
iddiferent times supported! lie denied the
truth of the assertion, however. In his opin
ion, the voice of the People was the voice of
God, when it was right, the voice of Igno
rance when it WAS•wrong! The annals of
(Greece and Rome, and of all history, had
AhPwn that, at times, when called forth by
widked demagogues—it had been more de-
Laughed than Jupiter,more cruel than Mars,
and meaner than Vulcan. Mr. S. then re
ferred to the principles of Mr 'Dallas's well
known letter, from which it might he infer.
red that contracts were not inviolable, that
vested rights were idle, and that the people
bad the right to reverse and disregai d all the
former act(' of their representatives.
Ms . Eerie rose to order. The allusions
bad nothing to do with the restricting of
bariketo the issue of SO notes.
The ,chairman said the member from Ad.
ems wee in order; and he hoped that such
frequent interruptions would not be repeat.
Mr. Stevens resumed. Such had been
the doctrine which had led to honor in this
country; but it was the same doctrine which,
when practised in private life, had hlled our
kits with felons. It was the same doctrine
that had'covered nations, particularly Car.
name, tirith infan+—and had rendered "Pu•
tile 'faith" a by-word of dishonesty through
Ranges. No wonder the advocate of such a
doctrine had gone into honorable exile among
the tyrantaandidaves of Siberia! The same
rrty who had thus treated the inviolability
of contraots and the sacredness o f vested
rights, now sought to chew that there was
en arivOtratic power which was adverse to
the rioar- ,, ..in order that they might have un
(mope Ar destroying some of 'air noblest
ikattutions; and according to them, there
' *Sell privilege to do any thing against eon•
literty==.4nd even in that Convention. to rob
Mali of hie freeeom, revive the Nu sof Drave),
break doilo s ehartent r and kr aught be knew,
abolish trial by jury. 'Theo, as part of the
same system, to fill the Measure of the day
of ruin—the judiciary was to follow. An
attack bad been made by the General Gov.
emment on the independence ant' integrity
of the judiciary. By the letter of Mr. Dal.
las, the object with regard to the judiciary
was well disclosed. Andrew Jackson had
the opportunity of appointing a majority of
the Judiciary of the United States; and the
member for the county (Mr. Ingersoll, had
encouraged his party, by saying that five
judges of the supreme court were of their
party, that the people might rejoice—they
had a President for three years yet to come,
and a majority in one branch of the Legis
lature.
Mr. Ingersoll rose to explain, not only nv
to his exact meaning in alluding to the well.
merited political honours of Mr. Dallas,and
the greatness of that gentleman's father; hut
that in mentioniug the Supreme Court of the
United States, he had merely said that' In
that Court, a learned Judge, a friend of his
on the other side, stood in a minority. He
by no means wished to convey any possible
impression, that other learned Judges could
be biassed by party views. It was merely
the fact of their appointment (oat tie had ra
ferred
Mr. S. expressed himself satisfied, and
thanked Mr. 1. for his explanation. But still
it looked much like following out a deliber
ate design of that party, to make the judi
glary subservient to their views—at least, as
he.had understood the gentleman. So long
as there were vested rights, so long would
the people be safe from the grasp of lawless
cupidity; yet he was glad that the rehrarks
of the member for the county (Mr. 1.) had
been acconipanied by that sort ordisclaimer,
in which he was so happy, and which, in
him, was ever an ominous premonition of
cautious utterance of opinion. That "aentle.
man had said that Banks had corrupted eve•
ry body, legislative, executive and judicial;
that gentleman had referred to the decisions
made by Chief Justice Marshall in a way
that must have produced regret and sorrow
in the . 'Convention. Ile said, that it would
require something else to vindicate Chief
Justice Marshall's
,course in the decisions
alluded to, than a mere attack upon his libel.
Jen Alas! that the honoured dead should
thus be dragged from their repose—that the
ashes of graves should be raked, to suit the
purpose or dPrnagogues out of that House!
Mr. Ingersoll explained that Mr. S. was
mistaken; he did not say that he should re.
quire something more than an attack upon
the libeller. He (Mr. 1) had only seen the
vindication; but he had remarked that any
charge made by Judge Smith of Alabama,
came from as high, es honourable a source
as any in the United States; and that, there
fore, it was not to be refuted by a mere at
tack, dr,c.
Mr. Stevens resumed. Then the learned
member for the county had only seen the
vindication. That was exactly what he
(Mr. S.) wanted to know—what he Turd seen.
Then he had seen it proved by Mr. Watkins
Leigh, that Chief Justice Marshall was not
a Stock Jobber at the time referred to. If
judge Smith had made a charge of improper
motives to Chief Justice Marshall, it amoun
ted to the same thing. The vindication,
which the member for the county had read,
proved happily, that Judge Smith was in er
ror. Chief Justice Marshall! However
assailed,his memory was dear to every pat
riot. His profound learning acute discrimi
nation, sound judgment, and incorruptible
integrity—had made him the pride of his
nation, and the ornament of his race. His
judicial ermine was as pure and spotless its
the whitest robes of the purest saints around
Jehovah's throne!
Scarcely had his disembodied Spirit as
cended from amongst men, than parties
were formed—aye! even Americans! to agi
tate his festering clay—to tarnish the fairness
of hitt fame, to spot the brightness of his
glory! Such had ever been the fate of true
greatness in all ages of the world. Did not
a tyrant throw down the statues of Pompey
the Great? Did not a Mark Anthony tram.
ple over the grave of a Cato?
[The Committee here rose, and the Convention
adjourned until Monday lust, when Mr. Stevens
resumed his remarks as follows:]
When the cominitte rose,on Saturdny,he
(Mr. S. )had proceeded to point out what he
considered to be, very significant elements
of an organised syStem and party, to break
down some of the noblest institutions of our
larl—to set the'rich against the poor—and to
rob one part ofthecormminity to enrich the
other. One part of the debate tended to
those views; and he particularly referred to
the attempt to invalidate the decisions of the
Supreme Court,and the attack upon the me•
awry of Chief Justice Marshall.
They had (said a gentleman on the other
side)a majority of the supreme court,during
good behavior—and their views would pre.
vail. He confidently hoped, nay he firmly
believed, that any calculations founded on
th party actions of the judiciary of this na
tion, would be utterly disappointed. He ad
mitted that, if the judiciary of the United
States held office by permanent. tenure, he
should despair—bet they held it by the ten
ure ofgood behavior. He had never known
a good lawyer, whatever had been his views
before he received office, who did not, when
he became appointed, prove a sound consti
tutional judge; and he nothing doubted that
such would be found the case in the present
instance. It would be remembered that
Prince Henry, when he ascended his father's
throne, and found that the groat interests of
the nation so much depended on him—that
from a profligate prince, he became an up •
right,• righteous and ab:e king. When the
bloated companions of his evil days applied
to him for favour—he knew them not. So, i
he predicted, it would he the case with the
judiciary—with the chief justice ofthe
Uni
ted States—low as he had been(politically)
obliged to descend—and like the drawling
serpent crawling into the garden of Eden—
to worm himself into office, through the
sewers of party. Yet now that he had ob.
tained it—he(the speakur)thought he would
shake °lithe filth of party; and lie believed
that the inviolability of contracts and char
tered rights, as described in* a volume by
Judge Baldwin, which he held in his hand,
would he maintntned. 'Th&y were there
n3aintairted.. There was no question as R. the
validity of eherters,but only as to the ground
they covered. No doubt the - gentlemen
who prophesied that the Chief Justice would
favor their views—and who, peradventure,
might even apply to him fur that purpose—
would meet with some such rebuke as
Prince Henry had given to his bloated com
panions in crime, when they asked him for
favours—for office. Prince Henry said,
"I know thee not, old man—fall to ail , prayers.
Presntne not, that I am the thing I Was;
For heaven doth know so shall the world perceive,
That I have turned away my Cermet sell;
So trill I those that kept me company.
When thou dost hear I am as I have been,
Approach me• and thou 'halt be at thou feast—
The tutor and feeder of riot."
I know yr, not!
Interspersed with this constant effort to
sap the firuntlation of..ur most useful lush
titers, and to array one class against another
—they had heard the cry raised by the sub
ordinates of that party, that the monetary
aristocracy, had for its object the oppressien
of the poor—whortr they calleo , as the Peo.
pie, to rise in their majesty and overwhelm
such an itristocracy. Every thing in the
speech of the member from Susquehanna,
seemed to be pert and parcel of that levell
ing system—that desire to introduee Agra
riau feeling amongst the People—to prepare
them—so that if they be afterwards found
necessary to thriller the objects of demo.
gognes—for aught he knew,t hey might given
go to the length of robbing the rich and di
viding the spoils. He hoped he should not
be mistaken. He did not menu to say,that
any leaders of that party had ever proclaim.
ed such intention. No, no! That also was
a part of the system. ft was a conspiracy
against the rich; and was there ever a con•
spiracy, a systetnatic inovement—:.where the
lenders at first published their totentions?
Certainly not. They (he did not Mean mene
bars in that House) were the Absaloms of
the present day. They began by clamoring
against the rich, and they might end by rob
hind th e m! Let them look at their exact
prototypes in history—when was it ever
known that demagogues, begun in any ether
way than by.setting the rich against the
poor? Never. He would cite the example
to the elder and the younger Gracchus—
they denounced the aristocracy, and they
consummated their scheme by tumult, and
deeds of lawless violence and - bloodshed.—
The notorious Cat iline—t hat noted demago
gue! lie loved, flattered, and even kissed
the poor labourer and debtor—he denounced
the monied speculators, and their love of,
power, with even a more fervent zeal than
the member from Indiana. His conspiracy
resulted in its object—plunder! the murder
of half his fellow citizens, and the wrapping
of his native city in flames. Rohespiere
and the demagogue leaders of the French
Revolution, advocated precisely the same
doctrines—denounced the power of the rich
—butt in somewhat blander terms, t ruly,t hap
he had heard in that Convention; and dur
ing their short but cruel reign, they drench
ed France in the blood oilier purest citizens,
and clothed her people in the weeds of wo!
The gentlemen . who in those days preach
ed that doctrine, wore the worst enemies,
net only of the rich,but also of the mechanic
and poor man. How long would it be
fore the rich man would be stripped of
possessions. nnJ establishment? He asked
if the public mind find not been prepared for
such a catastrophe—and then—who so well
entitled to the spoils of victory,as those wile
struck down the tyrants? Such principles
as were advocated, to deprive Ranks of their
Charters—would also deprive every farmer,
miller, and yeoman of Pennsylvania, of his
land. It was only held by the same title—
founded on an act of he Legislature and sign
ed by the'Executive—it was written in the
same way, signed by the same officers, seal
ed with the seal of the Commonwealth,pre•
cisely in the same manner as Charters. He
asked all he addressed, therefore, if any act .
to deprive Banks of their Charters—to vio
late contracts—would not also deprive, if oc
casion required, the mi ler of his mill. and
the farmer of his land? Continue that war
against Banks! countenance such a doctrine!
and the same ieckless party, 'Mold
await a favorable opportunity, when,by their
continued action, all titles must follow in the
general ruin. But such doctrines were not
only destructive to the rich man, but also to
the poor; for he would ask—where could the
mechanic and labourer find employment
and high wages, unless when the man of mo
ney was not afraid to invest his capital in
manufactures, improvements, &c? The
poor man was never so well off, as when the
rich man was the most thrifty, and his mu.,
nay used in Corporations.
No poor men should ever wish to see the
tuitions under which we have flourished, over.
thrown,, unless he become a thief; and then he
would hardly got his portion—for the cupiains of
the band would monopolize the bread—and their
poor,deluded followers would only get the crumbs
tie (Mr. S.) believed, that if ever they had a do.
pendant Judiciarv,the people ofth is country would
soon be prepared to enact the scenes ofthe French .
Revolution, of Catiline—of the Gracchi.
Mr. S. thought the restriction of $2O as a mini
mum of Bank note issues too large—hut he was.]
favorable to $lO, as a limit, and he would vote for
it at the proper time and place. But the constito•
lion was no place for it—it had no business there.
He had supported such a view before,and he would
again. he repeated, at a proper time and ;Ace.—
The Legislature was that place; for It may be
necessary to change such a law. which could not
ho done if it were engrafted on the fraine.work of
the constitution. He (Mr. S.) could not agree
that the sespension of specie payments hod been
either legal or harinless; for it had produced a
fluctuating currency, which was a great evil. But
he ascribed moat of the evil to the General Gov.
ernment—whose measures regarding the Tariff,
bud crushed many an honest man. lie thought
there never could bo a uniform currency, so lung
as twenty sovereign states legislated on the sub
ject, and all, perhaps, differently; and he thought
it could only be produced by the legislature of the
General Government—that they alune,would have
the power to regulate with effect.
But the true question was—not whether theses•
pension of specie payments was legal or not; but
whether, the Banks should be restricted or not, in
the constitution. With reference to the cause of
the late calamity—end. it was a true,
a real, a try.
ing question—what caused that calamity? And
he thought our deserted sea porta, our idle menu
frictur'ers and Mechanics, spoke the extent of the
evil—he deemed it obvious as the light, true as
Holy writ, that it was caused by the General Gov
moment. with their wild theories, new creed, and
dangerous attempt to reduce the currency to the
limits of silver and gold. Gentlemen on the other
side had attempted to show that only a portion of
the cm rermy Bier deleted by lh , irprtv in
-specie-L-Imi 'that was an error. Nothing sof the
kind was said in: the first message of General
Jackson, end all knew what kind cif min he was;
he would persevere, right or wrong, with his obr
ject—regardless whether-he was treading over
bleeding foes or prostrate friends. His meaning
was, to break banks, excite the people, and thro'
their moans, to suppress those institutions. Any
executive, with the ample revenue of a nation at
its command, could use their power to that pur
pose.
The party then made war on the Bank of the U.
States; and now the same party were making war
upon hank charters, through precisely the same
agency. And how did they seek to succeed? Why
by putting them under ban,which they had done!
Every bank could maintain its credit so long as
the government received its notes, and no longer.
Thus had (en Jackson banded over his ill-favor.
ed hrets,to that ill favored nurse, M. Van Buren,
to take care of them and bring thorn up to maturi.
ty. Re did not dony,however,thut the banks, by
over issues and excessive dineounts, had coniri.
bated in some measure to the misfortune; bur
could that be wondered et, when the previous
course of governmennt wee taken into consideru
tine?
l:::]
...
The enpital (or circulation) of bunks in (he
whole country, welt between 8300,000,1100 and
11111,000,000; u hiln the specie did not exceed
560.000,010 or $711,000,000-11010 more than one.
sixth of the whole. If they relied alone on specie,
property and value must have been reduced in
precisely the same proportion. Loalc, then, at
whet the gentlemen on the other side were aim.
ing at—the lurid of the termer, or miller, now
worth sl2.ollo,would thous he worth no more than
:Jll5O. 11. (Mr. K) felt little sympathy for thee.
rintuuerney of wealth tinder such circumstances—
but how disastrous it wuuld peeve to the poor mail!
The !Amer who now received $1 por day, would
then only gain 17 cents! .Was not the lot of the
poor already ' , efficiently had? The iron fiend of
misfortune already grasped them aeveroir; yet
those omen to whom ho alluded, would grind them
to the dust! Did they wish to drive the people to
despair, that they become instruments of that re
volution which their leaders wore preparing—he
(Orr. S.) did not any in that house, but elsewhere.
Had not th , gentleman from the county said,that
lie would "swap Maine for Smith Carolina, and
give something to hoot?" I t was the democracy,
the nullifiers of the south, thud was to rule and
bias the notch ; nod that cotton! cottura was to
work out what he culled the emancipation of the
country!
Mr. Ingersoll rose and explained, that he had spo
ken well of the south, and respectfully of the north.
and particularly of the school masters and lawyers of
the north, as well as the laborers.
Mr. Stevens rest' nod. The gentleman would say
any thing warranted by circumstance to suit his pur
p use. Did he not say that the southern. would send
their books and pictures among us ante north, to cx
cite the slaves of the banks against those institutions?
Yes! the northerns were to beexcit .4 • , y the pictures
and books of the south aeainst Piet' ioas•ers, in the
same manlier that the negroer of the south hail been
tampered with! Could it be endured in Pennsylva
nia, the very land of freedom, that the industrious la
borers and mechanics were to be pieced on a level
with the poor, shackled and lacerated negro of tho
south? Let them form their alliance„and an appropri
ate alliance it was—the radical reformers of the north,
with the nullifiers of the south! He believed that if
there was a freeman on earth—body and soul—it was
a free laborer of the north; and niuch rather would he
have such a mull as a companion,than be the peer and
fellow of southern soul-drivers. The gentleman from
Indiana had objected to rich men and riehes,beeaue,
he said, they formed an aristocracy of wealth.
Mr Clark rose and explained that he had made no
objection to rich men; but only to the artificial riches
i and power of such men, when combined together in
corporations.
Mr. Stevens resumed. Then the member meant
that those artificial persions so combined—for all cor
porations were made up of individuals—were so dan
gerous in their aristocratic character, that lie (the
member from Indiana) would rather see the aristocra
ern( blood.or the sword, than of wealth. Did wealth
make any distinction of rank? No! It only made a
distinction between men of the seine rank; and any
matiMay rank in the aristocracy of wealth,ff he were
prudent and successful; and it was the noblest reward
be could look forward to, in requital of his economy,
indistry and virtue. But the gentleman from Indiana
would rather see the aristocracy of blood. or title—an
hereditary aristocracy—one which crushes hope and
renders every people servile!
Some gentlemen would abolish Banks, in order, as
they said,that farmers might raise their flour cheaper
—that iron masters would raise their iron at a lower
price—for labor would he lower! Flour in such a case
would be $4 instead of $10; but what would labour
be, and where would it be found in sufficient abund
'ante? And such was the cotidition3he Anti-Bank par
ty would bring us to—such their love for the people!
Another objection to banks was, "that 'hey promoted
forgery.' The gentleman might as well have laid the
lame charge to reading and writing! He would re
commend him to makeit penal to teach reading and
writing, and like his great prototype, hang up the
school-master,with his ink-horn round his neck!
But the rneniber from Indiana was not content w•th
denouncing all banks as swindling institutions. That
was net enough. The virus would not spread over a
sufficient surface. With the amiability which distin
guished that gentleman,he sought to denounce former
legislatures, and with comsenial consistency, to eon
deem them unheard! Gentlemen had denounced that
Legislature which had granted the charter of the U.
S. Bank—and he would answer that point with as
mach philosophy as the grossness of the insult would
admit. When the present government first inquired
into the finances, they found the Commonwealth in
debt $25;000,000, and the public works involved.—
They found the people hurthened with taxes to
extent of $500,000 on real and Personal property—
and that the Commonwealth had been obliged to bor
row 2, 3 and 4 millions per onnum,to pay the demands
made upon it—which in about 20 years would have
overwhelmed Pennsylvania with $100,000,000 of
debt. Thus there would soots have Items a State re
duced to beggary; and the fairest country that God e
ver gave to man.would hare withered ntider the curse
of evil rulers! What was to be done? The public
works would hare been unfiniehed; yet the public
debt was not to be increased. Such was the crisis.—•
But.thank God! they had felt as little awe as they did
respect for the clamor of demagogues. The U.States
Bank had offered a bonus,he believedmf $3.000.1100;
hut tine despot who then filled the American throne
had refused it. 'rho Legislature and Executive of
Pennsylvania then Invited the Directors of that ii sti
tntion to accept a State charter.and pay them between
hand 6 millions. The terms were hard—but the no
ble, high-minded, patriotic President of that institu
tion, with a truly Pennsylvanian feeling, agreed to
the terms; and thus the State debt was in a course of
redemption, the public works went on, and Pennsyl
vania had b.-en enabled to exhibit a scene crib° finest
march of public improvement, without debt, that ever
distinguished any nation of the earth. He (Mr. S.)
defied the whole Agrarian tribe topoint out any other
means by which those glorious objects could have
been attainerLs,
This was not all: $2,000,000 had been devoted to'
the Common School Fund—which had done more to
throw open the doors of Knowledge to every son and
daughter of Pennsylvania. and thus promote a real,
true and virtuous equality ,than any other act that had
ever been passed. He felt premier to have done his
small portion towards elevating the Ivor man's child
in intelligence, than he could possibly be injured if
covered allover with abuse by the opposite party.—
He could cheerfully, bear their calumnies—nay, he
could almost consent to the disgrace of their praise—
if he were sure that when Death came to him with
his fatal mission, he (Mr. S ) should be followed to
his grave by the poormnd that the tears of poor men's
children would embalm his memory with their bless
ing.
But so much for the charter. With reference to the
charge of fraud, he wnuld not refer to charges in that
Convention, nor to any individual in it; hut if any pri
vate man,priyately and out of that house,had told him
that he or any of his frieuda had been guilty of fraud,
in that or any other matter, he would have told such
a man that he was a wilful and infamous liar. If any
crinainahor any man accused of crimediad been tried
and'eoudemneci by any court without evidence, the
Judges of that Court a ould have been deemed worse
thane Jeffiries. And by the same rule, if any one as
sumed the office ofJudge.and condemned their fellow
citizens to eternal infamy—without evidence. and
without . hearing them in their own defenee—such a
man was only fit to be Judge of the Infernal Court!
' Did gentlemen who madethesecharges,only reflect
not only . on having forgotten their duty as patriots, in
impugning the Legislature of their State with i being
guilty of moral perjury, but that they bring the very
government institutions of the Commonwealth into
conteropt,hy reiterating such charges,in that Conven
tion and other public halls of the People? Did they
consider what wide-spread misery they produced?—
Did they not attempt to cover with infamy the meni
bers.not only of that institution.but also of the Legis
lature—their wives, their farailies,their children and
friends? Was such the object of members On the other
side? Was that the feast at wbi .16 they could assem
ble—a banquet of broken hearts? A banquet.alas! on
It fit for demons. Thank Gad! the character of the
indivdluals who would get up such a feast,had defeat.
'ed their objects. Men who could thus glory in the
ruin of their fellow-beings, most have hearts of gall,
to fit them to feed on human misery! Verily, the
just Judge of all mankind, instead of the hottest place
hereafter,should allow them a paradise to themselves
—to locate where they pleased! It should be a place
where such human vipers should have the privilege
of crawling to the pit of perdition and when gazing
there, could gloat their jaundic eyes by looking
down—and gratify their evil hearts with a view of
the gnawing misery and agony of their fellow-men!
Doings of the Convention.
Correspondence of the Gettysburgh Star.
PHILADELPHIA, December 14, 1837.
The following reaulution was offered by Mr
Earle and laid on the table:
Resolved, That the rules of this Convert.
lion be so amended, that it shall be in order
in committee of the whole for any two utem•
hers to cull for the . Yeas and Nuys on any
motion.
Mr. Reigart submitted the following, which was
laid on the table:
Resolved, That this Convention will ad
journ sine die, on Tuesday t he twenty second
day of January next. •
Mr. Smith, of Columbia, moved to proceed to
the second reading and consideration of the testi
lotion offered by him on the 7111 inst., as follows:
Resolved, That this Convention will ad
journ sine die on the fifteenth du) of Janua
ry next.
On agreeing to the second reading,the yeas were
56, nays 54. Various amendments were propos
ed, when a motion for its indefinite postponement
was agreed to.
The convention then again went into committee
of the whole, the amendment of Mr. Stevens to
the' amendment of Mr. Read, being again under
consideration. Mr. Craig, of Washington,resumed
his remarks commenced in the forenoon of yester
dayouid addressed the committee for about art hour
in conclusion. It was an effort of great ability and
research, and does much credit to tho ""01d Wash
ington County Farmer." Mr. Farelly then took
the floor in opposition to the amendment of Mr.
Rend and in favor of the proposition submitted by
Mr. Stevens. Mr. Foray is a young man of great
ability, and is always listened to with much Litton
tion; his position is rather a peculiar one, having
been elected by the Van Buren party in Crawford
county. Ho, however,chose to go for the interests
of his country, rather than to bow with submission
to the mandates of a party, who glory in the des
truction of the noblest and most flourishing insti
tutions that over adorned any country. In the
course of his remarks, he took occasion to advert
to the fact, that in those countries where nothing
hut hard money is known, the people are fur be
hind those which have adopted the banking sys
tem in point of liberty and civilization; he refered
to Denmark and Russia, which are exclusive me
tank governments, where the peasantry are sold
with the lords, transfered from one to another as
cattle are. Ho allowed that in those countries
where banks have been established, nod the credit
system adopted, the nearest approach to democra
cy and equality exist. He said that it was urged
that the profits of banking institutions had a ten•
&lacy to take from the labor of the poor. 'Phis
species of argument, he said, was not addressed to .
reason and good sense; but Intended for out-door
and popular effect. He said that experience Inid
proven to the contrary—as the condition of the
poor was invariably improved where banks exist.
Ho was opposed to restrict banks too much, as it
was evident that these banks and the country in
which they were located, flourished best that were
least restricted. He said none of these restrictions
proposed would have prevented the suspension of
specie payments by the hanks of Pennsylvania.—
Pennsylvania had adopted the measure in self-de
fence, in consequence of the suspension of New
York. He thought it would he unnecessary to ap•
ply the remedy in New York to prevent a recur
rence of the same state of things here. Individual
states, he said, in consequence of their intimate
connexion, could not prevent u suspension from
taking place, when other states were forced to a
dopt the measure. The credit system, he consid
ered, inseparably connected with the prosperity of
Pennsylvania, to carry out her splendid system of
internal improvements, to dovelope the mineral
riches in which our State so extensively abounds,
and for the perfection of that great moral work a
system of General Education. He said it behooved
every friend of Pennsylvania to adhere to our in
stitutions, through good report and through evil
report, regardless of all political considerations.—
He was aware that his views at present, were at
variance with those entertained by him on former
occasions; but ho could not give his vote on this
important subject without expressing his scull
tnents. Ho concluded with a very appropriate and
beautiful passage from Sir Wm. Blackstone, after
having spoken about half an hour.
Mr. Curll, of Armstrong, then took the floor; he
is a Vanite, and denies that the.party to which he
belongs are so visionary as to believe in the prac
ticability of an exclusive metallic currency,in favor
of the Gold Humbug so much spoken of. Then
it will be perceived that that party have deserted
their favorite child, for who does not recollect, who
is at all conversant with passing events, the avidity
with which every thing was devonred by that par
ty, emanating from that Prince of Humbugs, T.
H. Benton, having reference to exclusive metallic
currencyl They were even, many of them at
least, so credulous as to presume, that the time
was near at hind, when, contrary to the laws of
gravity, gold would swim up the Mississippi, and
he It's plenteous as Shin Plasters now are! Now,
it appears, that ho who was worshipped almost as
a god, has the mortification to witness the fact, that
even his opinions are considered as visionary, and
none any longer willing to do !aim reverence!
Mr. Curl addressed the committee about half an
hour, when he gave way to a motion for the corn
mittee to rise; the convention then adjourned until
half past three o'clock in the afternoon, when Mr.
Curll resumed his remarks and addressed the com
mittee in conclUsion about half an hour._ Mr. In
gersoll then took the floor and spoke for about an
hour, when he gave way to a motion for the rising
of the committee,and the convention then adjourn
ed until to-morrow morning. This great apostle
of democracy, it is generally supposed, will occupy
the attention of the committee for several days, in
support of the priceiples of the great democratic
family. of which he has ever been a conspicuous
member, notwithstanding the foul slander that has
been rumored abroad, that he once said he would
have been a tory in the days of the revolution if
he had then been a man, or.words to that effect!
PHILADELPHIA, December 15, 1837
Mr. Earle called for the second reading and con
sideration of the resolution offered by him yester
day, but the convention refused to take it up.
The convention then again rca dyed itself into
committee of the whole, when Mr. Ingersoll re.
Burned his remarks and concluded, at' er addressing.
the committee about three hours. The coromiusue
then rose and the convention adjourned untie half
post three o'clock. Mr. Ingersoll, es he tinnily
-does, took occasion to travel very much out of the
track. Mr. Meredith *. tookthe Book this afternoon
in .opposition to the, amendment offered by Mr.
Rend and in favor of the amendment to the same
submitted by Mr. Stevens. Mr. Meredith, in the
course of his remarks, allyerted to the fact, that thn
amount of bullion at tbe present day, according to
the late Statiment of the . Auditcr General, is as
great in proportion tri their (the banks') liabilities
as that of the bank of North America was, on an
average, in the years 178 t and 'B3—being one dol
lar of specie to four dollars of paper.
Mr. Meredith, after hawing addressed 'the com
mittee in a strain of tho most glowing eloquence,
for one hour and a hall; give way on a motion for
the risinir of the coiwnittee. The convention then
adjourned.
PHILADELPHIA, December 16. 1837.
After the presentation of vm lolls petitions, the
convention again resolved, itself into a committee
of the whole, when Mr. Meredith resumed his re
marks and nddressed the committee about two
hours in conclusion. Mr. Meredith is truly e
Pennsylvanian in feeling, above the consideration
ofovery party consideration—he .disdained to wage
n warfare against the best institutions of his coun
try. merely to flutter the whim or caprice of some
political demagogue, that he might ho himself po
litkally promoted at the sacrifice and ruin of thou
sands of the human ft wily.
When Mr. Meredith had concluded his remarks,
Mr. Sysvi:xs, of your county, took the floor. The
Hull was filled lo overflowing by the most distin
guished citizens of Philadelphia, to. listen to the
eloquence of Mr. Stevens.. Much anxiety has been
evinced to hear him. After speaking about an
hour, ho gave way and the committee rose and the
Convention adjourned. Mr.SUAtiTiii has the floor
on Monday.
PHILADELPHIA, December 18, 1837
A number of petitions were' presented to-day on
various subjects. 'rho resolution offered by Mr.
Flowing, on Saturday, declaring that no debate
dhoti take place on a motion for the Committee to
rise, was read a second time, and finally adopted
Yells 84, Nays 80.
The Convention then again resolved itself into
a committee of the whole. Mr. STr.vcxs resumed
his remarks, and spoke about an hour and a half
in conclusion. Ho handled the ollicers of the .
General Administration and their advocates, both
in the convention and out of it, in no very gentle
manner. His allusions to some of those anti-bunk
gentry who animadverted upon the conduct of the
Legislature in the passage of the !dB chartering
the "U. S. Bunk of Pennsylvania," were not or a
very tender character. He attributed the derange
ment of the currency to the quackery of the cur
rency doctors at Washington, more particularly to
that celebrated doctor, Andrew Jackson, whom he
represented as the despot who sat upon the Ameri
can Throne at Washington,for the last eight yerirs.;,
He said that the course pursued by the party in
power in the General Government, would result
in the saw state of things us those which existed
in the time of the revolution of France. It would
be in vain to endeavor to do justice to his reworks.
Notwithstanding the unfavorable state of the
weather, the Hall was filled to overflowing at an
earl) hour. When he had concluded, the commit
tee rose, and the convention adjourned until the
afternoon, when Mr. Diddle, of Philadelphia, took
the floor and spoke about an hour in a strain of
thrilling eloquence. He referred to the remarks
mad•o by Mr. Ingersoll in reference to the opinion
of. Judge. Smith, of Alabama, one of the judges of
the United States Supreme Court,who has recent
ly said that the immortal ManstiA tr. was influen
ced in his decisions in consequence of his cotinei
ion with banks! He likewise referred to General
Jackson's refusal to vote in favor of a resolution
of thanks to General Washington for his noble and
immortal deeds; and took occasion to observo,that
this same Andrew Jackson bad appointed Judge
Smith, the libeller of the illustrious dead! When
he had concluded, Mr. Shellito, of Crawford, took
the floor, and, os he usually does by his st)le and
manner, amused all who heard him for about half
an hour. Mr. Porter, of Northampton,then moved
that the committee rise, and the convention then
adjourned.
A dreadful occurrence took place on the
Portsmouth and Roanoke Rail Road, .111;.
Virginia,on Sunday the 11 th inat.—by which • -f I
18 or 20 persons were more or less injured, I
two of whom have since died. The end.of
a rail having become loose, raised op and •%:" 5 .i
caught the cars—one of which was thrown
off the track, and two or three others crush
ed together.—Compiler.
Accounts from UPPER• Canada, which ap- •
pear to be entitled to credit, state tharthe
revolutionists have taken possession of Tor- '7
onto, and there is a general rising ofthelieo
ple—who require from the. Governor, Sir
Francis Head; "that he: !diall dissolve . the
parliament—allow - the people to elect the
legislative council—and that he shall leave
the country in two weeks."
In Lowßu Canada, the Queen's troops
seem to be too powerful for their opponents.
Proclamations have been issued offering a
reward of £l,OOO for Papineau; £5OO each
for 10 ethera,di £lOO each for ft othera.[M.
. CANADA.—The news from Canada ex. • "
cites the most thrilltug interest. The latest
is that Toronto has been re-token by the,
Loyalists, and the patriots driven from
their quarters at Montgomery house, which-,
.• ,
was burned to the ground. • There appears ~• 1p
to be great sympathy felt for the Patriots, . 1
,!,
by the Americans near the Canada lines.
Large and enthusiastic meetings have bben : I
held at Buffalo and other places, 'espousing .:f.
their cause. . • . :, - Ail
The Sri-colored flag has been hoisted att,.4
Chippewa,(U. C.) and it is believed that el. -.:::::-r, 4
most the entire mass of the population will :... _.. -4
take sides jy.itli the Patriots. .-- • • ; . - 3
~•,,,,.
Mrs. Pupinenu, wife of the Ben. Mr. Pa..„
. , -.. 1
pineau, a patriot lender, died at her seat near . ':= l " ' .
Montreal, on the 7th install,. -:, .- •. • -2 . ,1 1
Families are flying in consternation Pure.
the seat wur, to the American
The country is under martial law, - and tdoe•
roads guarded by the soldiery. Detach..
wantsof RoYalists née marching to suseucl h
en the Royal forces,. and man the turtitica.
tions in difil.rent parts of the cmtnery•
I'he Secretary of state. under dixectliels.
of the Ehresident of tbe lllttien*Smics,.llm3 re.
tlftPoted the Governors. of tweeter of the
States bordering on the Citoadas,. to take no..
lice of any umiemeuts, in is:dation to the•
,Caundian insurrectinnobati may violate t h e
laws.of ;the United. Slatrs ts er. coßtljrutttiG kev
new utorv.7-- Penn.
STAR & REPUBLICAN BANNER.
A t 9. per ailitlllllll4 hilagierbirly in advance.
GETTYSBIIRIZ PA.
F win., Y , December 22, I S 3?
FOR COVFI U
CY D.V.r . d/Pat Lciwioaimozaci
From the Puttiot of 'Tuesday ,as
Baltimore Market. -
f2i-Flour, '63 75; Wheat, $l . , 70 to $1 75.
a:1 4n a portion of last week's; impression Mr.
Cobean's sale was made to take place on Tuesday
instead nf FRI DA Y(ro-n r ) the 2211 instant.
g-Wo aro again Indebted to Mr. PVCROSE for
public docurnentz.
Houses of the Legklature ndjourned
yeaterdny, to meet again on the 3d of January!
stir. Sievens's Speech.
• - -We give to-day a sketch of Mr. STsvima's
firech in the Convention on, Saturday and Mon
day halt. The Philadelphia Inquirer pronounces
it "one of the loftiest, most spirit-stirring, patriotic
and .oloquiit appeals ever uttered in the Legisla
tive Halls of Pennsylvania. He produced a deep
sensation: Indeed, so intense was the silence, that
the slightest movement could have been heard in
Any part of the vast hall. We have given as de
tailed a sketch of his remarks as our space and
time have permitted—but nothing can convey
to the mind of the reader an adequate idea of the
manner and action of this gifted,powerful and in-
teresting Orotot." We give the Inquirer's report.
Gettysburg Rule !toad.
(0-Great excitement has prevailed throughout
a portion of our county, during the past week, ii
consequence of a disposition manifested by -boilh!
branches of the logWature to retard the progress
of the Gettysburg Extension of the Pennsylvania
Rail Road. That one narrow-souled mintier of
the Senate would endeavor to throw obstacles in its
..vay,wo did not doubt; but that a majority could be
found there opposed to it, we did not expect. But
it has so turned out. And the regret ie the deeper
when we find among the leaders In the opposi
tion those from,whom we did expect better things
. —better respect for State contracts and individual
rights! But we have neither time nor room for
farther comment at this time, and shall merely
give the proceedings on that subject as they have
been furnished by a friend at Hurrisburgh:
On the 13th inst., a Bill was reported in the Se
nate appropriating $lOO,OOO each to the Erie and
North Branch Extension and Gettysburgh Ru
Road. lii the absence of Mr. Penrose and others
friendly to our road, the bill was called up on the
14th, and, after striking therefrom the $lOO,OOO
for the Gett,y sbmg Road, honied through its so.
Vera! readings and sent to the House! We sub
join the yeas and nays:
!; YEAS—Burclay,(!) Caldwell , Carpenter,Case,
.1 . Frailey,(Schuylkill„) Pullerton,lrvin,Kelly.Kings
bay, Loet, Millec,(Berks,) Myers, Peitz, Rogers,
Sangston, Snyder.—:o.
NAYS—Cassatt, Darragh, Praley,(Ciiy.) Har
per, James,. Michler, McConkey, Miller, (City,)
Paul, Pearson, Purviance, Sterrett, Strohm, Bur
' den, Speaker.-14.
ABSENT—Penrose, Porter, Sleiiker.
The bill was taken up in the House on Monday
last, and, after being amended so as to give our
road $46,000, and directing the Canal Conintiti
sloners to notify the Contractors to suspend their
,work after the first day of January next. passed
;; its several readings and was- sent to the Sentate
for its concurrence. It was concurred in by the
• Senate on Tuesday and sent to the Governor fnr
• his signature on Wednesday morning last. As
the Legislature remained in session but a short
..7: 3. :Stlmik,on 'Wednesday, anl met yesterday morning
!4. no" minutes after 12 o'clock for the purpose of
adjourning over the holidays, the Governor had
sufTicienl time to examine and return the bill
I,l%qefore the adjournment took place.
The following is the shape of the bill as it pass•
ed both houses:
Ordinary repairs . of canal and rail
roads,
To avoid inAlined plane at Cohimbia,
• Repairtior feeder dams. •
Renewing port of the Northern track
of thci- Philadelphia and Columbia
•
For ropes on said road,: and fur ropes,
workshops, &c. ou the Portage rail
road,
For renewing locks on main line of
canal, west of the Allegheny moult-
tam, 7,000
For deepening the eastern division be
,vo. low Duncan's Island,
`..;For new work on old linee,. p ay of
nal commissioners, appraisers, &c.
4 : To the Erie and North Brunch exten
alone, ,tach,
To the Tangascutack extonsion of the
West Branch canal, • 10,000
Towards the construction of the Get
tysburg railroad, 45,000
of Mate
pjThe Editor of the Medhanickeburgh Visiter
(says the Lancaster Examiner) states that the
members of the Reform Convention, now fitting
10 Philadelphia, spend a largo proportion of their
I!stte in playing oshinnyi" and that he lately saw
i'aeveral uttunbOra walk into the Hall occupied by
the Convention with shinnies and corn-stocks on
:their shoulders, marshalled by a member from the
city and a member from Luzerno! The ' , shinny"
ilayers took tkeir acute as members of the comer ;
tkon to revise the constitution—but instead of at
'.tending to that duty", they exerted themselv es to
procure an early adjournment in order to return
to their dignified and manly exercisa!
Emporia's, from Florida!
acy. By last Friday's Express mail, the agreea
ble intelligence was received at Washington that
?dicattopy and a few other Indians had "come in
at Fort lylellon," and that Gen. Jessup hail receiv
ed a message from BmuJones,anotherchief,stating
that if the General would treat htm well and a- .
pAgize fur calling the Indians cowards, be too
• ltrumn "Como in!"--if not, he would have to r itch
he could' •It is not yet ascertained
whether 4 , 1", y bear' Jessup has complied with
eam's request!
Printer to the Senate. ' ' The Right of Petition. :.
• 0 3It is with much regret that we perceive a (r-We ask attention to the subjoined letter co
quarrel has arisen between the Editors of the Har- pied from,tho, Baltimore Transcript. We like the
risburg Telegraph and, Chronicle about the else- liberal end conciliating spirit manifested by that
tion of Printer to the Senate,and the personally a- truly great man, HENRY CLAY. 'That gentleman
busive allusions toward each other, as well as the is right. Let the petitioners be heard: Let their
Telegraph's hasty remarks about the motives, &c. prayers be referred to a select committee—and,we
of Mr. Pssraost. We suspect there, has been a say, place that eloquent Statesman at its head.—
misunderstanding between the parties, or certain- Let a 'calm, dispassionato. - tranquil, reasoning re
ly the shove papers would not have been rival can- port' of that committee's views upon the subjects
didates for the Senate's printing. That tnisunder- preyed for, be submitted to the reason of the Peo
standing has led to the defeat of both,and the else- pie of the United Stites. But suppress our peti
tion of those who probably deserve it as much as , Lions—treat the petitioners disrespectfully, & ma
either of our other friends, ny who have heretofure refused will send their pe-
But why quarrel about It now! It certainly can titions in defiance of those who wish to deprive
do no gond, and may lead to much mischief. In them of that right. We like the motilly reply Mr.
the spirit of kindness, then, we would call upon Cr.Ar made•to Mr. Calhoun'', tlwat about 'the
those Editors to cease their quarrel, and no longer question of Union and Disunion hanging on the
.erve up palatable dishes for tLeir greedy neigh. result of treating the petitioners respectfully,as re
"ors to devour. Let them quarrel about the loaves ported for, the Baltimore American: Mr. Clay
and Alms. Ye he% e principles to contend for— • said he believed no such thing. He felt convinced
nut stip interests. that the People would listen to reason, to' argu-
P. S. Since the above was written wo have re- anent and all dispassionate appeal most willingly
ceived the subjoined letter, from which ii wilt be and with respect. Disunion lie did not fear, and
seen that we were right in supposing that there he wished the Senator froin South Carolina Wouldi
was not a perfect understanding between the instead of opposing the reception of petitions,bring
' friends of the Chronicle and Telegraph, We cur- in a Joint Resolution that every member of Con
dially join with the •ivriter in trusting that the gross should lie called to order by the presiding of
matter will be permitted to rest. [leer when he even made allusion to Disunion.—
For himself, he would join heart and hand in the
support of such a measure.
That,indeed, would be an excellent measiire.—
But there is no danger of those Hoispurs of the
South bringing about a dissolution of the Union.
They can never persuade the people to "cut oir i
their nose to spite their face," or to please them.
Extract of a letter to the Editor of the Gettyr
burg Star and Bantixr, dated
PHILADELPHIA, December 15, 1837.
DEAII 81n—You will have seen in the Harris
burg Chronicle and Telegraph very unpleasant ac-
counts of the election of Printer to the Senate.
I regret, as every disinterested man must, the
course token by di's(' prints. The remarks ap
plied to Mr. PENROSE are particularly to be regret-
ted. Mr. Penrose, I think, should have voted for
Mr. Penn; hut his declining to do so, arose front
a misunderstanding between him and seine other
members of the Anti-Masonic party. He had ta
ken a particular view of what he supposed to ho
the understanding of our friends with regard to the
election of printers. Others of our friends(most
of them) understood it differently: and this mis
understanding led to the unpleasant votes which
followed.
But Mr. Fcnn, in the heat of the moment, hail
ttributed views to Mr. Penrose which do him
injustice. Never was a firmer friend to the pre.
sent administration, or to our principles, than Mr.
Penrose. It would he a shame, if a more 1i1it41.111..
I lefstaa.ding about the election of printers,(both of
whom aro with us, unless, as the Chronicle inti
mates, interest will drive them off,) should cause
any distrust, heart-tannings, or quarrel among po
litical friends. This contemptible cause of quar
rel, if persevered in, may do much harm to our
party, and alienate friends.
I trust that our papers will trout this matter
coolly, and not like wild madmen.
co. The Bill extending the law Graduating
Lands up to 1840, which had passed the House
on the 14th inst., was taken up in the Senate on
Saturday last, and, on motion of Mr. Fullerton,
made the order of the day for the 10th of March
next. It should pass that body without any op
position.
cO-A friend at Harrisburg writes, under date of
December 16, "Yesterday, Mr. Ds iiraNcroly, of
Chester, presented five .petitions signed by 500
persons, against the admission of Texas into the
Union," and adds "would not similar petitions
from your county, at this time, be of importance?"
We think it would, and recommend the people to
forward them by bundles, nut only to Harrisburg,
but also to Washington.
Last week, similar petitions, from near 6,00(,
citizens of Erie county, were presented by Mr.
rk.TL.vs.
alswiber Committee!
arin the House of Representatives, on Mon
day last, a Committee was appointed to visit our
Rail Road, to act, we presume, in conjunction with
a similar committee appointed lust week by
Senate. The following are the names—M' • •,
Thompson, James, Espy and LOngaker, all
postale of the Road and of the Slate Adminie
!ration! Tho Chairman is a high and btgotted
Mason, a bitter enemy of Mr. Stevens, and the
greatest blackguard in the State! We presume
ho has already pepared his report before leaving
Harrisburg to visit the row)!!!
crWe uro really much pleased to fir.d the
Sentinel-matt ..treadirg in the foutatepa" of the
Star!
$lOO,OOOO
55;000
15,000
. 1 1r. 41(1 is—Rev.
o.ln the House of Representatives, on Satur
day last, "Mr. ADAMS rose, and said that he had
been requested by the Rev. Mr. Wow', now in
this city, to ask for the use of the Hull, at 11
o'clock, to-morrow, for the purpose of delivering a
public lecture therein. Doubtlessly, remarked Mr.
Alums, the name of this gentleman was familiar
already to every gentleman upon that floor. He
was one of the most extraordinary men living on
tlic earth at this time. Ho was originally n Jew,
and, after the most profound investigation of the
Scriptures, and a patient and assiduous compari
son of the Old and New Ttistainents, ho had been
brought, by the aid of a. most powerful intellect,to
the conviction of the truth of the Christian Reve
lation. To the propagation of that gospel through.
out the world he had ever since been devoting all
his powers. In the beautiful language of Bishop
Heber—
100,000
"From Greenland's icy mountains,
Frani India's coral strand,
Where Afric's sunnv fountains •
Roll down o'er golden sand,
From many an ancient river,
From many a palmy plain,
They call us to deliver
Their land from Error's chaiuir'
Sir, said Mr. ADAMS, to this call this applicant
las responded. Ho has visited every part of the
woad, in which his eloquence, his zeal, his untir
ing zeal and influence could make themselves felt
in the propagation of Christian knowledge; and
now, in pursuance of his great design, he has COlllO
to our own shores, and in lectures,in sermons,and
in socitty, has already made touch progress in its
accomplishment. Mr. Adams, said that 'he had
heard one of these lectures, in one of the churches
of this city, in which the reverend gentleman had
detailed tho course of his adventures, which had
been of the moat deeply interesting and romantic
character; and a more profound, closely-reasoned,
and convincingargument upon the proofs of Chris
tinnitvoliati that contained in the lecture to which
lie had allutled,it had never been his lot to listen to.
Mr. ADAMS thought that the object was one de
serving of that consideration at the hands of the
House whii.h be bud requested; and he did not
anticipate that there would be any well.founded
objection otpi•red to the proposition.
The request was granted. -
The Land
Texas.
Correspondence of the Commercial Transcript.
W ASH I NGTON. Dec. 18, 1837.
The scene of those inflammatory topics:
the Abolition and Texas questions—was to
day shifted from the House to the Senate,
producing there one of-the most animated
discussions ever witnessed within its walls.
A memorial from some persons in New Jer•
sey against the annexation of Texas, presen
ted by Mr. Wall of that State;wits the first
circumstance that gave rise to the exciting
scenes that fo Mr. Preston moved
to have it laid on the table, and accompanied
his motion with denouncing bitterly the
!pinging before Congress such papers, and,
notif)ing the Senate of his intention to in:
traduce a measure having for its object the
annexation of Texas to the United States'
territory. The motion to lay on the table
prevailed. The sensitiveness evinced by
Mr. Preston on this matter, served 'to pitch
the feelings of the other Southern Senators,
to n similar tone, which at once. manifested
itself, when Mr. Wall presented a petition,
from his Stale, praying for the abolitieu of
slavery in the District of Columbia. Mr.'
Grunly moved to lay it on the table. Mr. 1
Preston having called for the question whe
ther it should be received, a debate of deep
interest took place, in which every Senaten
seemed tb think hinsell bound to partieipate„
The question resolved itself into the right
if petition. Messes. Clay & Davis were the.
'most conspicuous supporters of the principle
that the right of petition is inviolable, and:
laboured to show that most of the excitement
now existing among the people at the.Nortli,
upon this subject, was not so much. frown
;support of Abolition; as - the letuir
.sing this said right to be threatened and tak - -
en from them. '!,hey thought the best pit t n .
to appease this= ferment of the public mind
would be to refer the petitions to"the Com'.
mittcc on tae I. , :strict of Cvlenibia.
This principle was most violently opposed
by Messrs. Calhoun, Preston, Strange,Huc- I
hanan.and others,wkio insisted upon the gross
injury to the interests 'Of the South that
would result, from its being put into prac
' rice. Mr. Preston's manner and words were
especially significant. He said, the South
jebred to Congress for protection in such an '
(emergency, and if that was refused, it would
1 protect itself; for the accomplishment of
which, the proper measures would be at
' once resorted to. There was no noise or
anger in the delivery of such remarks as
these at the close or his speech, but all was
solemnity and cool earnestness. Mr. King,
of Alabamn,in some excited remarks,observ.
ed that he had been at the North recently
and had seen how the abolition feeling was
industriously fanned by certain political
knaves and demagogues, and was made use
of for party pui poses. Mr. Davis, of Muss.
in reply said that if such were the case, the
feeling was confined to no particular patty,
and indeed one may see in the Senate itself
how this question will divide the ranks of
the opposite parties theme. Mr. Clay in
reply to some heated observations from Mr.
Calhoun upon the prospect of disunion
from the agitation of the Abolition ques•ion,
poured out one of his glowing bursts of elo.
quence upon the stability. rifnur institution
which seemed for a time to eflace the sub
ject of debate from every Senator's mind.
It was a theme on which patriots of all par
ties could have but one common feeling.
Mr Calhoun had insisted upon the absur
dity of hand.ng over to consideration or
argument, any petition having for their ob
ject such fanatical schemes as those that
characterize the Abolition memorials. He
thought they deserved no more notice or
consideration, than a petition to abolish the
Christian religion or to burn the Northern
factories. Mi. Clay in reply, asserted that
the whole spirit of our government was
based upon argument, and that he:held in
low estimation any institutions that could
not stand such a test. It was here,-he
ed in a most impressive manner to a remark
made to him at the commencement of the
last wur by James Madison, who replied to
to some impatient wishes made by him that
diplomatic notes should cease and action•
should be used—by gravely saying, "you
forget, Mr. Clay, that our goverment is
founded nn reason." The whole speech
was one ofthe finest ever made by this great
orator.
Front the Columbia Spy of Saturday last.
CULLECTOR'S OFFICE,
COLUMBIA, Dec. 13th, 1837, 3 ._: 4 O
11^BEKL.P ItEPORT.
Amount of Toll received at this Wilco
. per last weekly report, $201,575 78
Amount received during the week
ending this day,
Whole amount received up to
Dec. 16th, . $201,021 38
W C. M'PHERSON, Collector.
a -yche EphetnerLt—No. IV, together with a
variety. of other articles, crowded out this week,
will appear in our next. •
( - -The last No. of this popular journal is em
bellished with a handsome engraving,and contains
many very interesting articles. The next will con
tain articles from John Quincy Adams, Martin
Van Buren and other distinguished individuals.
oi-Thero has been a tremendous parcel of Loco
Foco Anti-Bunk resolutions offered in the Legis
lature since the commencement of the session!—
As soon as they pass that body and receive the
signature of old Joe, we will prose u them to our
readers!
GENERAL WASHINGTON.—The remains
of this illustrious man, the Father and Saviour of
his country, were recently placed in the sarcorha
gus made by Mr. Bruthers of Washington City.
Mr. B. mates that when the vault and cant were
opened, "where they had laid him," the sacred
form of WASHINGTON was digeovered in a
Wonderful State of preservation. The high pale
brow Lore n calm and serene expression; and the
solemn amile,such as ho doubtless wore, when the
First President gave up his blameless, mortal life,
fur en immortal existence—
'•When Lis soft breath, with pnin,
Was yielded to the elementx agnin.;'
,
ELAtionvuorr.—ifan impartial historian
were required to give any peculiar designa
tion to the present era, so tar us our political
literature is concerned, he %%mild unquestion.
"ably be compelled to style it the Elakordte
Age. Every officer, no matter what may
he his grade, from the President downwards,
liincies that he cannot sufficiently impress
upon the public a sense of the magnitude of
his duties and responsibilittes,unless he write
a volume upon the subject. The Chief Ma
gistrate leads oflwith seven columns ()Ismail
type, to give 11.4 un outline of the condition
of national affiiirs, and he refers us to reports
of his Secretaries for details. The SecreL
tory of the Treasury pours forth his leaden
draughts of seven colums upon the finances
of the country,. which lie cannot make
intelligible. The Secretary of State gives
us three edam upon Mexican aflitirs alone,
and how much more is to come upon other
topics, no one can tell. 'We take breath,
land here comes the Secretary of War with
seven colums more, upon the glorious oPer
talons in Florida—the indririency of the
kind of force heretofore employed, and the
propriety of increasing the reguhir ai my—
I he topographical corps—fortifications, bar.
hors—manufacture of arms, new armory—
Indians on the North Western, and South
.WeStern frontiers—pensions--extra servi
ces - of officers—hospitals, &c. &e.—pro•
nrisimg that upon the subject of the defence
of border settlements, "the matter will. be
rally treated in answer to a call of Congress."
' . Secretary Dickerson requires but four col
times to toll of the things done by the Navy,
anil the things undone by hire; which, con-
Sidering the variety of matters treated upon,
seems to be a moderate space enough for an
old bachelor. Another report, however,up
,on-the subject of the Navy 'Pension Fund,
ig IntortrVaecl--- , which 'wit‘, - es ; , Ci--rriatter of
course, make up the deficiency. We gat h
ei,'from all that is already said, that more
money is wanted for the Exploring Expedi
tiori, and fbr the Pension Fund—and that a
variety of improvements are indispensable
to tfie success ofour naval operations. A
expenditure which we appteve must heat ti•
•Iy.,for the Navy is justly the pride of the
country.
The report of the Postmaster General is
the only brief document we have seen—but
as this officer rules somewhat in despotic
style, mdependentlyof Legislature and Ju
diciary, doet-not require much room to de
tail his operations. He reports that there
are now 12,099 post offices—and that his
"hirelings" ak.Lperterm their duties with
admirable fidelii7liitql precision." His to.
nil funds on hand, amount to 8941,318J:38.
SCHOOL OF ARTS.—The Franklin Insii.
tute have presented to the Legislature, a
memorial, which sets forth that they are
desirous of enlarging the sphere of their use
fulness, and therefore submit the plan of a
"School of Arts," for the purpose of afford
ing complete practical instructions to that
large class of the community who are on.
gaged in the mechanic arts, manufactures,
and agriculture. The establishment of an
institution of this description would be eni•
inently beneficial not only to those, the most
interested in its success, but to the public
generally. The mechanic, the manuflictu•
rer, the farmer and all other artizans, would
be taught the ei4lCe and the theory oftheir
avocet ions. Ninny invaluable opportunities
for instruction in the arts, exist in the vicini
ty of this city, surrounded as it Is, by work•
shops,
.and manufactories of every sort.
Each oftbese would contribute its propor
tion to the means ofinstuct ion, and combined
in their influence, must powerfully aid in
the dissemination of sound practical knowl
edge, We cordially , hop; the subject may
receive a proper attention from the Legisla
ture.—Sot. Eve. Post.
We learn from the." Globe," that resolu
flops in favor (f &divorce of the Govern•
meat from all hanks, were passed by the
South Carolina LogiSlature, by a vote of
109 to 20. •
WASRINGTON COUNTY" COURT -Wm
Soudersondicted tbr. the murder oflll . r. Sa nil.
Knott, was found guilty of manslaughter .
and sentenced to 3 years arid 8 months Mi.
prisomnent in the nenitentiary. A man
named Davis, from the line of the canal
indicted for the muder of his with, was also
found guilty. of manslaughter. Sentence 4
years imprisonment.--Hagerstown
A few days since we expressed our Bur
prise on learning that Mr. IVl'Duffee had
united tVitli Mr.
.Calhnun in his advocacy
of the Sub• Treasury System, and good an
thority of this account-of Mr. WOultie's
change of sentiments was denied.. General
Hayrie,. Lou, rejects the Sub : Treafury
scheme., and indeed it would appeal' that the
nullification party generally is not friendly
to the monetary policy or the Federal Ex.
ecutive.--A r ationeet Gazette.
2,445 60
The New York Mirror.
From the Richmond Whig
- 4 611 k 1 : -. P;
: ( '
IS N 4,11
- •
-A.
O:3IIIGHLY IMPORTANT FROM
WASHINGTON! .
." - -VVe stop the press- to give place to the fol
lowing intelligence, which we find in the Balti
more :ion received last night. We give it for what
it is worth. If true, we cannot but admire" the hi
dependence and firmness of Mr. SLIDE. Let every
F'REEM AN, bo:h in and out of Congresa, take
the same manly stand in defence of their-rights,
and they will soon teach the disorganizing gout
n RIVET'S of the `south the %aloe of their threats a
bout dissolving the Union! They null:Ad the
U Riau once—but it wouldn't slay null ficd!—
Theyare now going to dissolve the Union—with
alike success, we suppose! .
[Correspontlensx of the Baltimore Sun.]
DISSOLUTION OF TUE UNION."
W ASHINGTON CITY, Dee. 21.
The city is full of excitement, and if we
are to confide to the obtillittons of passion,
nod madness of the times, we are-on the eve
of a dissolution of the Union. The south
ern delegation in Cialorresii, are now in the
room of the Committee uu Claims, discuss
ing the subject.
The excitement 'of the day, added to a
press of businesv, Compels me to be brief.
Iso•day, Mr. Slade of Vermont, got the
door to debate a motion submitted by him
on Monthly, proposing to refer a petition
praying for the abolition of slavery in the
District of Colutnhia,
to a select committee.
In arguing the motion, Mr. Slade went
into a full examination of Slavery in the rib
sinact,and filled thq House with excitement.
At the outset ; Mr. Legare,of South Caroli.
an, implored him to desist,- but ho would
not, and continued his speech.
Various attempts were made to get him
off the floor, without success. A motion to
adjourn was submitted, but was decided to
be out of order. Mr. Slade went unat length
and continued to cast firebrands into the
House. Numerous members implored him
to desist, but he would not listen to them. ,
All efforts to get him off theiloor were
unsuccessful,till Mr. McKay of North,Caro
him, made a question of order, and contend
ed that Mr. Slade ought not to be allowed
to go on. The ayes and noes were deman
ded nn the motion, but before they were ta.
ken, a motion.to adjourn prevailed. As
soon us this end had been accomplished,Mr.
Campbell of South Carolina, invited the
whole Southern delegation to meet in this
Committee room of the Committee on
Claims, to devise ways nod means fur the
emergency—to take all necessary steps to,
ward a dissolution of the Union. Such was
not the tenor of his language, but such was
its substance.
An half hour before this was done, Mr.
Wise invited the Virginia delegation to with
draw from. the House, as did Mr. Hawkins
or Georgia. Most of the Southern delega
tion accepted the invitation of Mr. Campbell,
and are now in session in the room of the
Committee of Claims. It is impossible for
me to say what will be the result.
oThe Merchants of this place have agreed to
close their Sturcs on the 25th inst.
RELIGIOUSROTICEi.
(0-Rev. Dr. KRAUTH will preach in the
English Lutheran Church on Stintlay morning
next. Thera will uliio be preaching in the even-
ng,tit early candlelight
(0- Itev. Mr. WATSON will preach in the
I'resb3 tcrian Church on Sunday morning and
evening, next.
cc) , lice. Mr. QUAY will preach in the Prcaby
byterian Church it. Petersburg, (Y. S.) on Sun
day morning next, at 11 o'clock.
IIYMNNIAL KGISTHIC.
MARRIED.
On the 19th inst. by the Roy. Mr. Keller, Mr.
WILLIAM &mimosa, of Menallen township, to
Miss Susi, N semi' vim, of Tyrone township.
Recently at Springfield, Ohio, by the Rev. Mr.
Harker, Mr. Jens . Mcens.tur, late of York
spritigs, Adams county, to MiSs MARY Ass
Ho um, of Springfield.
01317' 11 A 11 Y RECORD.
DIED.
On the 20th inst. after a lingering illness, Mr.
JACOB KITZM I LLEII, a worthy citizen of this place,
age , l about :35 years.
On the 13th inst. in .11arrisburg, Mr. JOHN P.
KELLER, aged 29 years.
A DV EtcrisEmEN•rs
40a LBS. OF PORK WANTED.
V-F Enquire of the Editor of the Star.
December 22, 1837,
.anti-Slavery Conventieg.
The first annual meeting of the Penneyl
vunia Anti. Slavery Society, will be held in
the borough of Harrisburg, on Monday, the
16th of January, 1838, at 9 o'clock A. 111-
( An mfOrinal meeting of thedelegates will
be held, at the same place, on the previous
afternoon—the 15th proximo.)
All the Anti Slavery Societies throughout
the State, are-earnestly 'requested to appoint
:inmediately, large and efficient delegations,
to attend the anniversary; and m those sec ,
tions of the State where societies have not
been formed, it is also requested that exer
Lions be made. to fbrm associktions among
the friends of the cause, to be represented
in the Convention by such delegates as they
mity be disposed to appoint for the purpose.
December 22, 1837.
PAIIIPIIMET LAWS.
A LL persons desiring copies of the Laws
of Pennsylvania of the Session-1837-8'
who are not entitled by law to receive them, - 1
can obtain the, same lialf.bound at 30 cents
pie copy, provided they leiive their names
ut any time before tire First Moaday of
January next, with the subscriber.
J.*GILBERT Treasurer.
December 22, 1837. 3t-38
': . . - ::: -. T17.B1t,O. , :pt
3i . • 41:
-A MEETING er
111 .
ciety, of Gettyeburst And its
will be held at the Methealist-EFtbireit.'ll
Church, on Saturday Evennie rteiti *
o'clock.
R. W. MlDDLETOrit;Saeviy:`•
December 22, 1A37. ' "),•z;
Temperance ConventiOnE';:;"4;.;
TELL Annual Ctinsentien will bP_ktil#l4A:
Gettysburg, on Monday the Jai gr. Jet tptrim:
nest, to which all the SoCieties in 14 otiplA ,
are requested to send Delegates. • s; /. „4
December 22, 1 0 37. •
An versa ry CelehrsitiOn:«74.,
THE 'Members of the:odattir#iiiir;.:
efi
Bencial Association" it4 - nftiiii 144,
t o m ee t a t their Room, at 23 o'clock P. piell.s!".
ly, on Saturday the 6th of January nexis
o'clock they will march in procession to the Pttp
byterian Church, where an ANNIvisusAFT A
ul:co will be delivered by a Member of the associ
ation. The public generally arc invited to attend
at the Church.
ANTHONY D. KURTZ,.
DAVID M'CREARY, ,- •
• WILLIAM W, PAXTON. .
Committee,or Arrangement.
December 22, 1837.
Or7b N E W
TAILORING ESTABLISHMENT,
THE Subscriber teepee:6)lly informs the
Citizens of Gettysburg and its vicinity that
he has commenced the • •
TAILORING lIUSIIWESS
in the small building adjoining the Store of
Mr. Fahnestock, in South Baltimore Street.
Having made arrangements to receive
the NEW YORK AND PHILADEL
PHIA FASHIONS, he feels satisfied that
he is prepared to execute all work entrusted
to him in the most fashionable style and
substantial manner. He hopes to receive
a share of public patronage. •
CHRISTIAN ZECRER. '
December I+s, 1837. 3t-37
NOTXCE.
gill HD subscribers, residing in Ilamilfonban
!- . township, hereby give notice to all persons
indebted to the Estate of
WILLIAM COBEAN, SEN. •
Late of Cumberland township, Adams County,
Pa. deceased, to call and make immcdtate pay.
moot and those having:cluims against said Es.
tate, will present theme without delay, prop.
arty, uuthonticated for settlement.
W l7 . COBEAN, J r.,
Exec 'rB.
A. COBEAN,
December 15,1 . 837. _ _
NOTI.CE.
USHE subscriber, residing in Germany town.:
ehip, hereby gives notice Mall persons kn..
(fabled to the "Estate of ' • .
•
LUDWICK KERBAUGII,
Late tif Germany township, Adams contity,,Pa v
deceased, to call and tnako immediate payinentv,
and thoseLhaving chains against said Estate. will '
present: them without delay, properly authen •
limited, for settlement.
ADAM HAHN Exec',
December 15,1837. - 6t*-31 •
NOTICE.
.ralifiE subscriber, residing in the Borough: 0A
_LI
Gettysburg, hereby gives notice alk per.
sons indebted to the r,stuto of
AGNES -- YOUNG •' .
Late of Cumberland township, Adams countyiPa .
deceased, to cull and make . Immediate payment/
and those having claims against said. Estate, will_ .
present them without delay, properly aetheil; --
ticated, for settlement. •
JOHN SLENTZ, Adin'ir: •
December 150837. 6t37
TputpEwman,
,
ITSHE "Rock Creek Temperance Some.
ty" will Meet ut the Rock-creek Clutp.
el, on Chris/ma, at 1 o'cluck,
orPunctual attendance it; requested.
ROBT. -McCURDY, See', v.
December 8;1P37. ,a sty
TEACEIERS WANTEZ.,
EVER A L Teuc.hers are wanted for tbo
°`• Public Schools in Ctitlibetianli
ship, Adams County. Application play- bo
made to either tithe ettb.cribere. •
HENRY mytr,
GEO. GUINN.
December 8, 1837.
Notice is hereby Given,
r 0 all Legatees and other persons con
corned, that the ADMINISTRA
TIO2V ACCOUNTS of the deceased per
sons hereinafter mentioned,will be presented
to the Orphans' Court of Adams County, for
confirmation and allowance, on luesday the
2d day of January next, viz:
The Account of Jacob Keller, Adminis
trator of the Estate of John Miller, sea. de
ceased.
The Account of John Myers and. John
Albert, Administrators of the Estate of
Catharine Albert, deceased.
The final Account of William Cownover,
Administrator of the Estateof John Cowl),
over, deceased.
The Account of James McAllister, act.
ng Executor, of the estate of Samuel Pet
erson, deceased.
The Account of Peter Shan&'ter, one of
he Executor of the Estute Peter Shariefel•
er, Sen. deceased.
The Account of Pivid MeMurdie, Execs
utor of the Estate of James Semple, dec'd.
JAS. A. THOMPSON, Aegister..
Register's OffiCe,Getiys:
burg, Dee. 8, 1837.' .(
NOTICE TO CILEDITOBLS,
V AKE NOTICE that 1 have applied to.
-a. the judges of the Court of Connunts
Pleas of Adams County, for the benefik
of the insolvent laws of ibis Commonwealth._
and they have appointed Monday, the 224:
day of January, 1838, at the Court How*,
in Gettysburg for the hearing of me and :
creditors, when and where you may attersie - " , ''` A
if you think proper.
13A.i1 , 111EL S. FOR N BY.
December 15, 18:37.
'
• " •-r• ,•;••:#
• ,• . ? - '•'4' tY•r• •