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THIRTY YEARS' VIEW;
OB,
A HISTORY OP THE WORKING OP THE AMERICAN
ft
GOVERNMENT POR THIRTY YEARS, FROM 1820 TO 1850.
FROM THE CONGRESS DEBATES, THE PRIVATE PAPERS OP GENERAL JACKSON,
AND THE SPEECHES OF EX-SENATOR BENTON, WITH HIS
ACTUAL VIEW OF MEN AND AFFAIRS :
HISTORICAL NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS, AND SOME NOTICES OF EMINENT DECEASED COTEMPORARIES.
BY A SENATOR OF THIRTY YEARS.
7
IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. II.
NEW YORK: D. APPLETON AND COMPANY,
84« AND 848 BROADWAY.
LONDOK: 16 LITTLS BRITAIN.
1868.
KF 3o^oi s^l
Entered ooeording to act of CoDgress, in the year 1856, hj
D. APPLETON AND COMPANY,
In the Clerk's OfBce of the District Coiurt of ihe United States for t Southern District of New Tork.
CONTENTS OP VOLUME H.
L InaQgimtloii of Mr. Yan Bnren ... 7 n. Financial and Monetary Crisi»— Qenenl Soa-
penalon of Specie Pajmenta by the Banka 0
nL Preparation for the Diatreas and Soapen-
aion 11
17, Progreaa of the Diatrea^ and Prellminarlea
for the SaapenAon 16
T. Aetnal Snapenaion of the Banka— Propaga- tion of the Alarm 80
TL Tranamigration of the Bank of the United Stetea ftx>m a Federal to a State Inatlta-
tion 88
TIL Effeeta of the Snapenalon— 'Ctoneral Derange- ment of Bnalneaa— Snppreaaion and Bidi- eole of the Specie Oanenoy— Snbmlaalon <^ the People— Call of Oongreaa . 86
Tin. Extra Seaaton— Meaiage, and Beoommendar
tiona 88
DL Attaeka on the Meaaage— Treaauy Notea 88
X. Betention of the Fourth Depoait Inatalment 86 XL Independent Treaenry and Hard Money Pay-
menta 88
XIL Attempted Beanmptlon of SpedePaymenta 48 XIIL Bankrupt Act againat Banka .... 48 ZIT. Bankrupt Act for Banka— Mr. Benton'a
Speech 45
XT. DiTOTce of Bank and State— Mr. Benton'a
Speech 66
XTL Firat Begnlar Seadon under Mr. Tan Bu-
ren'a Adminiatr^tlon— HIa Meaaage 66 XTIL Pennaylvania Bank of the United Statea— Ita Uae of the BeAinot Notea of the ex- pired Institution 67
XTHL Florida Indian War— Ita Origin and Con- duct 70
XIX. Florida Indian War— Hlatorical Speech of
Mr. Benton 78
XX. Beaumptlon of Spede Paymenta by the New
York Banka 88
XXL Beaumptlon of Specie Paymenta-^Hiatorlcal
NoUeea— Mr. Benton'a Speech^Extraota 86
XXIL
xxm.
XXIT. XXT.
XXTL
XXTIL
XXTIIL
TTfT
XXX
TTTT XXXIL
xxxm.
XXXIT.
XXXT. XXXTL
Mr. day^ Beaolntlon In Faror of Beaum- Ing Bankii and Mr. Benton'a Bemarka upon it .* . 81
Beaumptlon by the Pennaylvania United Statea Bank ; and others which followed herlead 84
Propoeed Annexation of Texas— Mr. Prea* ton's Motion and Speech— Extracta 84
Debate between Mr. Clay and Mr. Cal- houn, Personal and Political, and lead- ing to Expositions and Tlndicatlona of Public Conduct which belong to Hla- tory 87
Debate between Mr. Clay and Mr. Cal- hoxm— Mr. Clay's Speech— Extracta 101
Debate between Mr. Clay and Mr. Calhoun —Mr. Calhoun's Speech— Extracts 106
Debate between Mr. Clay and Mr. Calhoun — Bejoinders by each . . 118
Independent Treaaury, or, Dirorce of Bank and State— Passed In the Senate —Lost in the House of Bepresenta- tlTca 184
Public Lands— Graduation of Price— Pre- emption System— Taxation when Sold . 186
Spede Baala for Banks— One-third of the Amount of Liabllitiea the Lowest Safo Proportion— Speech of Mr. Benton on the Bediarter of the District Banka . US
The North and the South— ComparatlTe Prosperity— Southern Discontent— Ita True Cause 180
Progress of the Slayery Agitation— Mr. Cal- houn'a Approral of the Missouri Compro- mise 184
Death of Commodore Bodgers, and Notice of hla Life and Character .... 144
Antl-dnelling Act 148
Slayery Agitation in the Houae of Bepre- aentatlTes, and Betlrlng of Southern Members firom the Hall ... 100
CONTENTS OF VOL. 11.
XXXVH XXXVnL
TTTTT,
XK
TT.T,
XUL
XLIV. XLV.
JLYl. ZLYIL
XLvm.
L. LL
LOL LIT.
LV. LVL
LVIL
Lvra.
LZ.
LZL
Lzn. Lzm.
LZIY. LXV.
PAOa
AboUtionlsts ClBastfled by Mr. Glay^Xn« tru Donoonoed — SlETeiy Af^tatan Korth and Sonth EqiuUy denooaodd •8 DftOgerou* to the Union . . 154
Bank of the United States— Bealgnation of Mr. Blddle--Flnal Soapenaion . IST
Flrrt Seaslon Twenty-aizth Oongreaa Members-Organiiation— Political Mttp oftheHooae 1B8
Flnt Seaalon of the Twentj-aixth Oon- greaa— PrealdenVa Meaaage IM
DiToroe of Bank and State— Diyorea d»- ereed 164
Floild* Armed Ooenpatlon BlU— Mr. Benton^B Speech— Extncta . 107
Aaanmptlon of the State Bebta . ITl
Aaramptton of the State Debta— Mr. B«^ ton*8 Speech— Eztracta ... ITS
Death of General Samnel Smith, of Marj* land ; and Notice of hla Life and Ohai^ aeter 176
Salt— the Uniyenalitj of ita Supply— Hyatery and Indiapenaftblllty of ita Uae —Tyranny and Impiety of ita Taxation — Speech of Mr. Benton— Extraeta . 176
Pairingoif 178
Tax on Bank Notea— Mr. Bonton'a Speech —Extraeta 179
liberation of Slavea belonging to Ameri- can Citiiena in Britiah Colonial Porta . IBS
Bealgnation of Senator Hngh Lftwaon White of Tenneeaee— Hla Death— Some Notice of hie life and Character . 184
Death of Ex-Senator Hayne of Sonth Oar- ollna^Notlce of hla Life and Charaettr 186
AboUtion of Speeiflc Duties by the Com^ promise Act of 1888— Ita Error, and Loaa to the BeTcnne, ahown by Bxpt- ilence 188
Beflned Sugar and Bum Dmwbacki their Abnae under the Compromlaa Actofl888— Mr.Benton*a6peedi . 190
Flahlttg Bountlea and AUowanoea, and their Abuse— Mr. Benton'a Speech— Extraeta 194
ExpendltureaoftheGoTenment 196
KTpfinsfis of the Oorenmient, Compaf*- tiye and Progreaalye, and Separated fkom BxtraordJnartea . . . . SNX)
Death of Mr. Justice Barboor of the Su- preme Court, and Appointment of Pa- ter T. Daniel, Esq., in his plaoo 909
Presidential ElecUon .... 906
Conclusion of Mr. Yan Barents Admlnia- tntion 907
Inanguration of Prealdent Harrison— His Cahlnet^^Oall of CongToas and Death 909
Aooeaaion of the Ylce-Preaident to tfaa Preaiden^ , » VI
Twenty-aeyenth Oongreaa— Firat Seaaloa — liat of Membeia, and dganlzatton of the House 918
First Message of Mr. Tyler to Congraaii and Mr. Clay's Programme of Bnsinsis 916
Bepeal of the Independent Traaanry Act 919
Bepeal of the Independent Treasury Aet —Mr. Benton*a Speech .... 990
LZYL The Bankrupt Act— What it waa—and
how it waa Passed .... 999 LZTn. Bankrupt BiU— Mr. Benton'a Speech—
Extraeta 994
LXYUL Distribution of the Public Land Bere- nue, and Aasumptlon of the State
Debts 910
LZIZ. Institution of the Hour Bule in Debate
in the Honae of BepresentatlTea— Ita
Attempt, and Bepulse in the Senate 917
LZX. Bill for the Belief of Mrs. Harriaon,
Widow of the late President of the
United States 907
LZZL MxB. Harrison's BiU-«peech of Mr.
Benton— Extracts .... 909 LYXTT. Abuse of the Naval Pension Systenn-
Yain attempt to Correct it . 96B
LXXITT. Home Squadron, and Aid to Private
Steam linea 971
LXXIY. Becharter of the DUtriet Banka— Mr.
Benton'a Speech— Extraeta 90
LXZY. BcTolt In Oanada^Border Sympathy— Firmneas of Mr. Yan Bnren— Public Peace Endangered— and Pteserred— CaaeofMcLeod .... 978 LZXYL Deatrnetion of the Caroline— Aneat and Trial of McLeod — Mr. Benton'k Speech— Extracts . . . . 9B1 LXXYIL Beftiaal of the House to allow Beceaa
Commltteea 804
LZXYIIL Bednction of the Expense of Foreign
Missions by reducing the Number . 806 T.TTTT. Infringement of the Tariff Compromise Aet of 1888— Correction of Abuses In
Drawbacks 807
LXXZ. National Bank-Flzat Bin ... 817 LXXZL Second Fiscal Agent^Bill Piesented- Pasaed— Diaapproved by the Preal- dent 881
T.TTTTT Secret History of the Second BID ibr a Fiscal Agent, called Fiscal Corpora- tion—Ita Origin with Mr. Tyler— Ita Progreas through Congress under his Lead— Ita B^ectlon under his Yeto 819 T.YTTTTT The Ycto Message hissed in the Senate
GaUeries 800
LXXZIY. Bealgnation ofMr.Tyler*B Cabinet . 888 LXXZY. Bepudiation of Mr. Tyler by the Whig Party — their Manifeato— Counter Manifeato by Mr. Caleb Cashing . 887 LXZXYL The Daniah Sound Duea ... 809 LXXXYIL Laat Notice of the Bank of the United
SUtea . 886
LXXXVili. End and Besnlts of the Extra Seaalon 8T9 T.TTTTT. First Annual Meaaage of Prealdent Tyler 878 Xa Third Plan for a Fiscal Agent, called Exchequer Board — Mr. Benton^ Speech against it— Extracts . 876
XCL The Third Fiscal Agent, entiUed a
Board of Exchequer . . 804
XCIL Attempted Bepeal of the Bankrupt Aet 886 XCUL Death of Lewis WtUlams, of North Carolina, and Notice of his life and
Character 896
XCIY. The aril liat Expenses— the Contin- gent Expenses of Congress and the Bevenue Collection Expense • 897
OOliTENlB OF VOL. IL
XOV. XOVL
zcrnL
ZXTTOL XODL
a
OL
on. om.
GEY. OVL
ovn. 0¥in.
dX.
ox
OXL
oxn.
GOV. OXV.
OXVI. (Scyn.
asvnL
GXIX.
cxx.
OXXL
oxxn.
flXXTTT.
TAOm
BMi«iMtloiiandTaledlatoi7 0fHr.Cla7 . 808
Mllituy Department— Program of its Xz- pwM 4M
Paper Honej Fajments— Attempted bj the Federal OoTermnent— Bealeted-Mr. Beaton^s Speech 406
Case of the Amerioan Brig Creole with Blavea for New Orieana, carried bj Mu- tiny Into Naaaao, and the Slayee LIh- enited 400
Dlatreae of the Treacaij—ThreeTwiff Blllib and Two Yetoea— End of the Compro- mlaeAct 418
Mr. Tyler and the Whig Party— Conflimed Beparation 417
Irf>rd Aahburton's HIaBlon, and the BriUah Treaty 480
British Treaty— The Pretermitted Sab- Jeets— Mr. Benton*s Speech— Kxtraets 486
British Treaty— Northeastern Boundary , Artlde — Mr. Benton's Speech — Ex- tracts 488
British Treaty— Northwestern Boondaiy— Mr. Benton's Speech— Extracts . 4il
British Treaty— Extradition Article— Mr. Benton's Speech— Extract ... 444
British Treaty— African Squadron for the Soppresslon of the Slaye Trade— Mr. Benton's Speech— Extract ... 440
Expense of the Navy— Waste of Money- Necessity of a Naral Peace EstabUsh- inent,andofaNaTalPoll^ ... 408
Expenses of the Navy— Mr. Benton's Speech — Extracta 406
Message of the Prssident at tha Opening oftheBegolar Session of 1848-'8 . . 460
Bepeal of the Bankmpt Act— Mr. Benton's Speech— Extracts 468
Military Academy and Army Expenaes 466
Emigration to the Colombia Blver, and Foundation of its Settlement by Ameri- can Citizens— Fr^ont's First Expedi- tion 468
Lieutenant Fremont's First Expedition- Speech, and Motion of Senator linn 478
Oregon Colonization Act — Mr. Benton's Speech 470
Navy Pay and Expenses— Proposed Bedao- tlon— Speech of Mr. Meriwether, of Qeor^ gia— Extracts 483
Eulogy on Senator linn— Speeches of Mr. Benton and Mr. Crittenden . . . « 480
The Coest Survey- Attempt to diminish its Expense, and to expedite Its Comple- tion by restoring the Work to Naval and Military Oflicers 487
Death of Commodore Porter, and Notice of his Life and Character . ... 401
BeftmdingofOeneralJackson'sFlne . ' 400
Bepeal of the Bankrupt Act— Attack of Mr. Cashing on Mr. Clay— Its Bebnke 008
Naval Expenditures and Administration- Attempts at Reform— Abortive . 007
Chinese Mission— Mr. Cushing's Appoint- ment and Negotiation .... 610
The Alleged Mutiny, and the Executloas (as they were called) on Board the United States man-of-war, Bomers ... I
OXXIY. Betlrement of Mr. Webster from Mr.
Tyler's Cabinet
OXXY. Death of WllUamH.Crawfoid. .
OXXYL Fbtt Session of the Twenty-eighth
Congress list of Membera-Organl-
istlon of the Hoose of Representativea
OXXYU. Mr. Tyler's Second Annual Message
OXXYIIL Explosion of the Great Oun on Board
the Prineeton maa-of wai^-the Killed
and Wounded
OXXIX Beconstroetlon of Mr. Tyler's Cabinet . OXXX. DeathofSenatorPorter, of Louisiana—
Suloglum of Mr. Benton OXXXL Naval Academy, and Naval Poll<7 of the United States .... GXXXn. The Home Squadron— Its Inutility and
Xxpense
OXXXm Professor Mone— His Eleetro-Msgnetlo
Telegraph
OXXXrV. Frteiont's Second Expedition OXXXY. TexssAnnexation— Secret Origin— Bold
Intrigue for the Presidsncy . CXXXYL Demoerstic Conventioai for the Nomi- nation of Praeldential Candidates OXXXYIL Presidential— Democratic National Con- vention—Mr. Calhoun's Seftisal t« Submit his Name to it— His Seasons OXXXYin. Annexation of Texas— Secret Negotia- tion—Presidential Intrigue— Schemes of Speculation and Disunion . fiTTTTT Texas Annexation Treaty— First Speech of Mr. Benton against it— Extracts . OXL. Texas or Disunion— Southern Conven- tion—Mr. Benton's Speech— Extrscts OXLL Texaa or Disunion— Ylolent Demon- strations in the South— Southern Con- vention proposed .... OXLEL Bisection of the Annexation Treaty- Proposal of Mr. Benton's Pkn . OXLIU. Oregon Territory— Conventions of 1818 and 1888— Joint Occupation— At- ^ tempted Notice to Terminate it . CXLIY. Presidential Election .... CXLY. Amendment of the Constitution— Eleo- tion of President snd Yioe-Pxesident —Mr. Benton's Plan OXLYL The President and the Senate— Want of Concord— Numerous B^eotlons of
Nominations
OXLYIL Mr. Tyler's I^wt Message to Congress CXLYIIL Legislative Admission of Texas into the Union as a Stato .... CXLIX. The War with Mexico— Its Cause- Charged on the Conduct of Mr. Cal- houn—Mr. Benton's Speech CL. Mr. Polk's Inangnnl Address Cabinet CLL Mr. Bhdr and the Globe superseded as the Administration OrgaBH-Mr. T. Bit- chie and the Dally Union snbstitated CLIL Twenty-ninth Congress— list of Mem- bei»-Flr8t Session— Orgsnisatlon of
the House
OUIL Mr. Polk's First Annual Messsge to
Congress
CLIY. Death of John Forsyth CLY. Admission of Florida and Iowa . OLYL Oregon Treaty — Negotiations mm- and broken oir .
668 660
667 660
675
ore
679 681 601
000 600
618
616
ao
681
600
607 600
COKTEKTO OP VOL IL
GLYIL Oregon Qneitloii— Notice to abrogate fhe Article in the Treaty for a Joint Occa- pation— The President denonnced in the Senate for a sappoeed Leaning to the Une of Forty-nine ....
Oregon Territorial Ooyeniment— Boon- dazies and Histoiy of the Country— Fraaer'B Rivei^Treaty of Utrecht— Mr. Benton'B Speech— Eztraeta
Oregon Joint Ooonpatlon— Notice aoihor- ixed for terminating it— Britbh OoTen- ment olTori the Line of 49— Qnandaiy of the Administration— DoTtee — Senate Oonsnltedr-Treaty made and Batlfled
Meeting of the Second Seadon of the 80th Oongie8»~Preflidettra Meewge Vigo- rona Prosecntion of the War Beoom- mended— Lientenant-general propoaed to be created
War with Mexico— The War Declared, and an Intrigae for Peace commenced theaameDay
Bloodleaa Conqneatof New Mexico— How it waa Done— Snbeeqnent Bloody In- aarrection, and its Canae .
Mexican Wai^Doniphan*8 Expedition- Mr. Benton'a Salutatory Addiev, St Louis, Missouri
Fr4mont*8 Third Expedition, and Acqni- sltionofGaUfomia ....
Pause in the Wai^-Sedentary Tacttea— "Masterly Inactivity** . . .
The WUmot Proyiso-Or, Prohibition of Slavery in the Territories— Its Inutility and Mischief
Mr. Oalhoun*a Slavery Rea<dutiona, and Denial of the Bight of Oongreia to Pro- hibit SUvery in a Territory OLXYin. The Slavery Agitation— Disunion— Key to Mr. Galhoun*s Policy— Forcing the Issue— Mode of Forcing it
Death of Sllaa Wright, Ex-Senator and Ex-Goyemor of New York CXiXX Thirtieth Congreaa-Flnt Session— List of Members— President's Message .
Death of Senator Barrow— Mr. Benton'a Enlogium
Death of Mr. Adams
DownJhll of Santa Anna— New Ooyem- ment in Mexico— Peace Negotiations- Treaty of Peace
Oregon Territorial Ooyemment— Anti- Bl^yery Ordinance of 1787 applied to Oregon Territory— Mlaaonri Compro- mise Line of 18M, and the Texas An- nexation Benewal of it In 1846, affirmed CLXXV. Mr. Calhoun*a New Dogma on Territorial SlaycTy— Self-extension of the Slavery Part of the Constitution to Territoriea CliXXTL Oourl-martial of Lieutenant-colonel Fr6-
mont
OLZXYIL Fr^onfs Fourth Expedition, and Great Disaster in the Snowa at tho Head of the Bio Grande del Norte— Snbeequent ~- ''^hePaashesoQght .
GLYm.
CUX
GLX.
CLXL
CLXII.
GLzm.
OLXIV.
OLXV.
OLXVL
CLXYIL
GLXDL
CLXXL
CLXXIL CT.XXTIL
GLXXIY.
MS
M7
m
m
e79
684
<88
MS
700
70S
700 707
TOO
m
ns
710
710
CLxxynL
GLXXIX CLXXX.
flT.TTTT
GLXZZIL
GTiXXXnt
OLXXXIY.
GLZZZY. CLXXXYL
OLXXXYIL
OLXiXVllL OLXXXIX.
OXG OXCL
oxen.
CXCIIL CXCIY.
CXCY.
CXCVL
CXCYIL GXOYin.
GXOEC.
oa
TAom
Presidential BleeUon ... 78S
Last Measage of Mr. Polk . . . 7S4
Financial Working of the Government under the Hard Money System TSO
Coast Survey— Belongs to the Navy- Converted Into a Separate Depart- ment—Expense and Interminabili- ty— Should be done by the Navy, aa in Great Britain— Mr. Benton's Speech— Extract .... 730
Proposed Extension of the Constitu- tion of the United States to the Tex^ ritories, with a Yiew to make it car- ry Slavery into California, Utah and New Mexico 7S0
Progress of the Slaveiy Agitation- Meeting of Members from the Slare States- Influnmatory Addreas to the Southern States ... 788
Inauguration of President Taylor— His Cabinet 7S7
Death of Ex-Presldent Polk . 787
Thirty-first Congress— Fint Session- List of Members— Organization of the House 788
First and only Annual Measage of President Taylor .... 740
Mr. Clay *a Plan of Compromise . . 748
Extension of the Missouri Compro- mise line to the Pacific Ocean- Mr. Davis, of Mississippi, and Me. Clay— The Wilmot Proviso . MB
Mr. Calhoun'a Last Speech— Divoln- tion of the Union proclaimed un- leea the Constitution was amended, and » Dual Executive appointed- one President from the Slave States and one from the Free Statea . 744
Death of Mr. Calhoun- His Euloginm by Senator Bntier ... 747
Mr. Clay'a Plan of Slavery Compro- mise—Mr. Benton's Speech Against ilH-Extraota 740
Death of President Taylor 766
Inauguration and Cabinet of Mr. Fill- more .707
B^ection of Mr. Clay'a Plan of Com- promise 768
The Admission of the State of Cali- fornia—Protest of Southern Sena- tors—Bemarks upon it by Mr. Ben- ton 760
Fugitive Slaves; Ordinance of 1787— The Constitution— Act of 1798— Act oflSOO 778
Disunion Movements— Southern Preea at Washington— Southern Conven- tion at Nashville— Southern Con- gress called for by South Carolina and Mississippi 780
The Supreme Court — Its Judges, Clerk, Attorney-Generals, Report- ers and Marshals during the Period treated of in this Yolume . . 787
Condnsion 767
THIRTY YEARS' VIEW.
ADMINISTRATION OF MARTIN VAN BUREK
CHAPTEE I.
QTAtJGURATION OF MB. YAN BUBEN.
March the 4th of this year, Mr. Van Btiren was inaugurated President of the United States with the usual fonooalities, and conformed to the usage of his predecessors in delivering a public address on the occasion : a declaration of gen- eral prindples, and an indication of the general course of the administration, were the tenor of his discourse: and the doctrines of the demo- cratic school, as understood at the original for- mation of parties, were those professed. Close ohseryance of the federal constitution as written — ^no latitudinarian constructions permitted, or doubtful powers assumed—fiuthful adherence to all its compromises — economy in the adminis- tration of the government — ^peaoe, friendsbip and fair dealing with all foreign nations — en- tangling alliances with none: such was his political chart: and with the expression of his belief that a perseverance in this line of foreign policy, with an increased strength, tried valor of the people, and ezhaustless resources of the country, would entitle us to the good inll of nations, protect our national respectability, and secure us from designed aggression from foreign powers. His expressions and views on this head deserve to be commemorated, and to be con- sidered by all those into whose hands the man- agement of the public affairs may go ; and are, therefore, here given in his own words :
^ Our course of foreign policy has been so uni- form and intelligible, as to constitute a rule of
executive conduct which leaves little to my dis- cretion, unless indeed, I were willing to run coun- ter to the lights of experience, and the known opinions of my constituents. We sedulously cultivate the friendship of all nations, as the con- dition most compatible with our wel&re, and the principles of our government We decline alliances, as adverse to our peace. We desire commercial relations on equal terms, being ever willing to gve a fair equivalent for advantages received. We endeavor to conduct our inter- course with openness and sincerity; promptiv avowing our objects, and seeking to establish that mutual frankness which is as beneficial in the dealings of nations as of men. We have no disposition, and we disclaim all right, to meddle in disputes, whether internal or foreign, that may molest other countries ; regarding them, in l^eir actual state^ as social communities, and pre- serving a strict neutrality in all their contro- versies. Well knowing tiie tried valor of our people, and our exhaustiess resources, we neither anticipate nor fear any designed aggres- sion ; and, in the consciousness of our own just conduct, we feel a security that we shall never be called upon to exert our determination, never to permit an invasion of our rights, without punishment or redress."
These are sound and encoun^;ing viewsj and in adherence to them, promise to the United States a career of peace and prosperity compar- atively free fix>m the succession of wars which have loaded so many nations with debt and taxes, filled them with so many pensioners and paupers, created so much necessity for perma- nent fleets and armies ; and placed one half the population in the predicament of living upon the hibor of the other. The stand which the United States had acquired among nations by the vindi- cation of her rights against the greatet^ ^^^>^>^^
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12
THIBTY YEABS' VIEW.
stnyen to acoomplUh — to widen the fnetAllic basis of the carrencj by a greater infusion of coin into the smaller channels of circulation. This was in a g;radual and judicious train of ac- complishment. But this miserable foolery about an ezdusively metallic currency, is quite as absurd as to discard the steamboats, and go back to poling up the Mississippi"
The lead thus given out was sedulously fol- lowed during the winter, both in Congress and out of it) and at the end of the session had reached an immense demonstration in New York, in the preparations made to receiye Mr. Webster, and to hear a speech fh>m him, on his return f^om Washii^ton. He arrived in New Tork on the 15th of March, and the papers of the dty give this glowing account of his recep- tion:
"In conformity ^ith public announcement, 7e6terdAy,atabout half past 3 o'clock, the Honor- able Dai; lEL Webster arrived in this dty in the steamboat Swan from Philadelphia. The intense desire on the part of the citizens to give a grate- ful reception to this great advocate of the consti- tution, set the whole dty in motion towai^ds the point of debarkation, for nearly an hour before the arrival of the distinguished visitor. At the moment when the steamboat reached the pier, the assemblage had attained that degree of density and azudety to witness the landing, that it was feared serious consequences would result At half past 3 o'clock Mr. Webster: accompanied by Philip Hone and David B. Ogden, landed from the boat amidst the deafening cheers and plaudits of the multitude, thrice repeated, and took his seat in an open barouche provided for the occasion. The prooe^on, consistmg of several hundred dtizens upon horseback, a large train of carriages and dtizens, formed upon State street, and a^r receiving their distinguished guest^ proceeded with great order up Broadway to the i^rtments arranged for his reception at the American HoteL The scene presented the most gratifying spectade. Hundreds of dtizens who had been opposed to Mr. Webster in poli- tics, now that he appeared as a private individ- ual, came forth to demonstrate tneir respect for his private worth and to express their approba- tion of his personal character; and thousands more who appreciated his prindples and political integrity, crowded aroimd to convince him of their personal attachment, and g^ve evidence <^ their approval of his public acts. The wharves, the shipping, the housetops and windows, ana the streets £it>u^h which the procession passed, were thronged vnth citizens of eveiy occupation and degree, and loud and continued cheers greeted the great statesman at every point There was not a greater number at the recep- tion of General Jackson in this dty, with the exception of the military, nor a gr^uter degree
of enthusiasm manifested upon that occasion, than the arrival upon our shores of Daniel Web- ster. At 6 o'dodc in the evening, the anxious multitude b^gan to move towards Niblo's saloon, where Mr. Webster was to be addressed by the committee of dtizens delegated for that purpose^ and to which it was expected he would reply. A large body of officers were upon the ground to keep the assemblage within bounds, and at a quarter past six the doors were opened, whsn tiie saloon, garden, and avenues leading uiereto were instantly crowded to overflowing.
The meeting was called to order by Alderman Clark, who proposed for president, David B. Ogden, which upon being put to vote was unani- mously adopted. The following gentlemen were then elected vice-presidents, viz : Robert G. Cor- nell, Jonathan Goodhue, Joseph Tucker, Na- thaniel Weed; and Joseph Hoxie and G. S. Robins^secretaries.
Mr. W. began his remarks at a quarter before seven o'dock, p. m. and conduded them at a quarter past nme. When he entered the saloon, he was received with the most deafening cheers. The hall rang vrith t^e loud plaudits of the crowd, and every hat was waving. So great was the crowd in the galleries, and such was the apprehension that the apparently weak wooden columns which supported would give way, that Mr. W. was twice interrupted with the appalling cry ^the galUrUa are fallmg^^ when only a window was broken, or a stove-pipe shaken. The length of the address (two and a half hours), none too long, however, for the audience would with pleasure have tarried two hours longer, compels us to give at present only the heads of a speech which we would otherwise now report in detail."
Certainly Mr. Webster was worthy of all honors in ihd great city of New York ; but hav- ing been accustomed to pass through that dty several times in every year during the preceding quarter of a century, and to make frequent so- journs there, and to speak thereafter, and in all Ibe characters of politician, social guest, and member of the bar, — ^it is certam that neither his person nor his speaking could be such a novdty and rarity as to call out upon his arrival so large a meeting as is here described, invest it with so much form, fire it with so much enthusiasm, fill it with so much expectation, unless there had been some large object in view — some great effect to be produced — some consequence to re- sult: and of all which this imposing demonstra- tion was at once the sign and the initiative. No holiday occasion, no complimentary notice, no feeling of personal regard, could have called forth an assemblage so vast, and inspired it with such deep and anxious emotions. It required a
ANNO 1887. MARTIN TAN BUBBN, PBEBIDENT.
13
pdklic oljMt, % general interest, % pervading oonoem, and a ■erioua apprehenaion of some un- certain and fearftil future, to call out and oi^ganize such a masB— not of the yoong^ the ardent, the heedless— 4Hit of the age, the character, the talent, the fhrtime^ the grsntj of the most populons and opulent city of the Union. It was as if the popolation of a great city, in terror of some great impendii^ nnknown calamity, had come forth to get consoUtion and counsel ttcm a wise man— to ask him what was to happen 1 and what they were to do? And so in ftct it was, as folly disdoeed in the address with which the orator was saluted, and in the speech of two hours and a half which he made in response to it. The address was a deprecation of calamities; the speech was responsive to the address^^ad- nutted eyeiy thing that could he feared— and charged the whole upon the mal-administration of the federal government A picture of uni- yersal distress vfss portrayed, and worse com- ing ; and the remedy for the whole the same which had been presented in Mr. Biddle's letter — the recharter of tA« national hank. The speech was a manifesto against the Jackson administm- lion, and a protest against its continuation in the person of his successor, and an invocation to a general oombinatioQ against it All the banks were sought to be united, and made to stand together upon a sense of common danger — the administration their enemy, the national hank their protectknL Every industrial pursuit was pictured as crippled and damaged by bad government Material injury to private interests were still more vehemently charged than polit- ical injuries to the body politic In the deplor- able pcture which it presented of the condition of eveiy industrial pursuit, and especially in the "war" upon the banks and the currency, it seemed to be a justificatory pleading in advance for s general shutting up of their doors, and the shutting up of the federal treasury at the same time. In this sense^ and on this point, the speech contained this ominous sentence, more candid than discreet, taken in connection with what was to happen:
^ Sememher, gmtUmen^ in the midst of this dsafening din again$t dU banit^ that if it didll &r$ate aueh apanie, or aueh alarms a» tihaU thut vp the J)ank$^ it will $hut up the treoiurff of the United States dUo.^ •
The whole tenor of the speech was calculated to produce discontent, create distress, and ezdte
alarm — discontent and distress for present su^ ferings— alarm for the greater, whidi were to come. This is a sample:
" Gentlemen, I would not willingly be a pro- phet of ill. I most devoutly wish to see a better state of things ; and I bebeve the repeal of the treasury order would tend yery much to bring about tnat better state of things. And I am of opinion, eentlemen, that the order will be re- pealed. I think it must be repealed. I think the east, west, north and south, will demand its repeiJ. But, gentlemen, I feel it my duty to say, that if I shoud be disappointed in this expecta- tion, I see no immediate relief to the distresses of the community. I greatly fear, even, that the worst is not yet I look for severer dis- tresses ; for extreme difBculties in exchange ; for &r greater inconveniences in remittance^ and for a sudden fell in prices. Our condition is one not to be tampered with, and the repeal of the treas- ury order being something which goyemment can do, and whish will do good, the public yoioe is right in demanding that repeaL It is true, if repealed now, the relief will come late. Never- theless its repeal or abrogation is a thing to be insisted on, and pursued till it shall be accom- plished."
The speech concluded with an earnest ex- hortation to the citizens of New York to do something, without saying what, but which with my misgivings and presentiments, the whole tenor of the speech and the circumstances which attended it— deliyered in the moneyed metropolis of the Union, at a time when .there was no political canvass depending^ and the ominous omission to name what was required to be done — appeared to me to be an invitation to the New Yoric banks to dose their doors ! which being done by them would be an example fol- lowed throughout the Union, and produce the consummation of a uniyersal suspension. The follovring is that condusion :
" Whigs of New York 1 Patriotic dtiaens of this great metropolis ! — ^Lovers of constitutional liberty, bound by interest and aiTection to the institutions of your country, Americans in heart and in principle ! You are ready, I am sure, to fulfil all the duties imposed upon you by your situation, and demanded of you by your coun- try. You have a central position ; your dty is the point fix)m which intelligence emanates, and spreads in all directions over the whole land. Every hour carries reports of your sentiments and opinions to the verge of the Union. You cannot escape the responsibility which drcum- stanoes haye thrown upon you. You must live and act on a broad and conspicuous theatre, either for good or fer evil, to your countiy. You cannot shnnk away tram pubtic duties; you
14
THIBT7 YEARS' VIEW.
OMmot obscnm yooraelTefl, nor bury your talent In the common welfare, in the common proa* perity, in the common glory of Americans, you haTe a stake, of yalne not to be calculated, lou hare an interest in the preserration of the Union, of the constitution, and of the true prindples of the goTemment, which no man can estimate. You act for yourselyes, and for the generations that are to come after you ; and those who, ages hence, shall bear your names, and partake your blood, will feel in their political and social con- dition, tiie consequences of the manner in which you discharge your political duties.''
The appeal for action in this paragraph is tehement. It takes eveiy form of riolent desire which is known to the art of entreaty. Suppli- cation, solicitation, remonstrance, importunity, prayer, menace ! until risfaig to the dignity of a debt due from a moneyed metropolis to an ex- pectant community, he demanded payment as matter of right ! and enforced the demand as an obligation of necessity, as well as of duty, and from which such a community could not escape, if it would. The nature ofthe action which was SQ vehemently desired, could not be mistaken. I hold it a fair interpretation of this appeal that it was an exhortation to the bunness population of the commercial metropolis of the Union to take the initiative in suspending specie payments, and a justiflcatoiy manifesto for doing so ; and that the speech itself was the first step in the grand performance : and so it seemed to be un- derstood. It was received with unbounded ap- plause, lauded to the skies, cheered to the echo, carefully and elaborately prepared for publica- tion,— ^published and republished in newspaper and pamphlet form ; and universally circulated. This was in the first month of Mr. Van Buren's presidency, and it will be seen what the second ono brought forth.
The specie drcnlar— that treasury order of President Jackson, which saved the public lands ttom being converted into broken bank paper — ■was the subject of repeated denunciatoiy refer- ence— ^very erroneous, as the event has proved. In its estimate of the measure | but quite cor- rect in its histoiy, and amusmg in its reference to some of the friends of the administration who undertook to act a part for and against the ro- sdsffion of the order at the same time.
''Mr. Websterthen came to the treasury cir- cular, and related the histoiy of the late legisl»- tion upon it ' A member of Congress,' sud he, 'prepared this very treasury order in 1836, but tne only vote he got for it was his own— he
stood 'solitary' and 'alone' (a laugh); and yet eleven days after Congress had adjourned — only six months after the President in his annual message had congratulated the people upon the prosperous sales of the public lands, — this order came out in known and direct opposi- tion to the wishes of nine-tenths ofthe members of Congress.'"
This is good history fh>m a dose witness of what he relates. The member referred to as having prepared the treasury order, and offered it in the shape of a bill m the Senate, and get- ting no vote for it