tion of one-fifth Treasury notes and three-fifths in six per cent. stock. 3. That the subscriptions of corporations, companies, and individuals, shall be paid at the following periods: 20 dollars on each share, to be paid at the time of subscribing, in gold or silver coin - $1,200,000 specie 2,400,000 H. OF R, appoint seven persons, one of whom to preside, as the managers of each office of discount and deposite, and one person to be the cashier. 13. That the general powers, privileges, and regulations of the bank, shall be the same as are usual in similar institutions; but with this special provision, that the general accounts shall be subject to the inspection of the Secretary of the Treasury. IV. It is proposed, that, after having thus provided for the punctual payment of the interest upon every denomination of public debt, for raising annually a portion of the annual expense, by taxes; for establishing 2,400,000 a sinking fund, in relation to the new debt, as well as in relation to the old debt; and for securing to the public the efficient agency of a National Bank; the only remaining object of supply shall be accomplished by annual loans, and issues of Treasury notes, if, unexpectedly, such issues should continue to be necessary or expedient. 6,000,000 6,000,000 1. The amount of annual expenditure during the war, exceeding the sums provided for, does not admit of a prospective estimate beyond the year 1815; but 9,000,000 for that year it may be estimated with sufficient accuracy for the general purposes of the present communication, at $28,000,000. 9,000,000 2. Then for the year 1815, an additional provision must be made, authorizing a loan and the issue of 30,000,000 Treasury notes, to an equal amount, $28,000,000. 4. That the subscription of the United States shall be paid in six per cent. stock, at the same periods and in the same proportions as the payments of private subscriptions, in stock and Treasury notes. 5. That the United States may substitute six per cent. stock, for the amount of the Treasury notes subscribed by corporations, companies, and individuals, as the notes respectively become due and payable. 6. That the bank shall loan to the United States thirty millions, at an interest of six per cent., at such periods, and in such sums, as shall be found mutually convenient. 7. That no part of the public stock, constituting a portion of the capital of the bank, shall be sold during the war; nor at any subsequent time, for less than par; nor at any time to an amount exceeding one moiety, without the consent of Congress. 8. That provision shall be made for protecting the bank notes from forgery; for limiting the issue of bank notes; and for receiving them in all payments to the United States. 9. That the capital of the bank, its notes, deposites, dividends, or profits, (its real estate only excepted,) shall not be subject to taxation by the United States or by any individual State. 10. That no other bank shall be established by Congress, during the term for which the National Bank is incorporated. V. It is proposed that the accounts for authorized expenses being duly stated and settled, a certificate or debenture shall issue to the accountant specifying the balance; and that in all cases, where there has been no specific appropriation, or the claim exceeds the amount of the sum appropriated, the balance shall bear an interest of three per cent. until provision is made by law for paying the amount. VI. And, finally, it is proposed to relieve the Treasury from an immediate pressure, upon the principles of the following statement: 1. The amount of demands upon the Treasury, exclu- 2. The accounts of the third quarter of Leaving to be paid in the fourth 8,400,000 00 $19,176,391 19 3. This balance, payable during the fourth quarter of Civil, diplomatic, and mis 1814, consists of the following items: cellaneous expenses, about 11. That the National Bank shall be governed by fifteen directors, being resident citizens of the United States and stockholders. The President of the United States shall annually name five directors, and designate one of the five to be president of the bank. The other directors shall be annually chosen by the qualified stockholders, in person or by proxy, if resident within the United States, voting upon a scale graduated ac-4. cording to the number of shares which they respectively hold. The cashier and other officers of the bank to be appointed as is usual in similar institutions. 12. That the directors of the National Bank shall $353,292 99 8,792,688 00 Leaving a balance to be provided for, of $8,105,000 00 1,496,000 00 4,175,391 19 Treasury Report. 5,000,000 00 $30,000,000 00 20,399,000 00 $9,601,000 00 OCTOBER, 1814. as immediately applying to the year 1815. In every subsequent year there will necessarily be some variation; as, for instance, the item of interest on the old debt will annually sink, while the item of interest on the new debt will annually rise, during the continuance of the war. The items for annually raising a portion of the public expenses by taxes, and for applying to the new debt a sinking fund—gradually increasing until it becomes commensurate to its object-are essential features in the plan suggested, with a view to the revival and maintenance of public credit. The extinguishment of the old debt is already in rapid operation by the wise precaution of a similar institution. 2. The second proposition will doubtless generate many and very various objections. The endeavor has been, however, to spread the general amount of the taxes over a wide surface with a hand as light and equal as is consistent with convenience in the process, 9,601,000 00 and certainty in the result. $19,176,391 19 All the opportunities of observation, and all the means of information that have been possessed, leave no doubt upon the disposition of the people to contribute generously for relieving the necessities of their country; and it has been thought unworthy of that patriotic disposition to dwell upon scanty means of supply, or short lived expedients. Whenever the war shall be happily terminated in an honorable peace, and the Treasury shall be again replenished by the tributary streams of commerce, it will be at once a duty and a pleasure to recommend an alleviation, if not an entire exoneration of the burdens which necessarily fall at present upon the agriculture and manufacture of the 5,400,000 00 nation. $13,776,391 19 3. In making a proposition for the establishment of a National Bank, I cannot be insensible to the high authority of the names which have appeared in opposition to that measure upon Constitutional grounds. It would be presumptuous to conjecture that the sentiments which actuated the opposition have passed away; and yet it would be denying to experience a great practical advantage, were we to suppose that a difference of times and circumstances would not produce a corresponding difference in the opinions of the wisest as well as of the purest men. But, in the present case, a change of private opinion is not material to the success of the proposition for establishing a National Bank $13,776,391 19 In the administration of human affairs, there must be a period when discussion shall cease and decision shall become absolute. A diversity of opinion may honorably survive the contest; but, upon the genuine prinples of a representative Government, the opinion of the majority can alone be carried into action. The judge, who dissents from the majority of the bench, changes not his opinion, but performs his duty, when he enforces the judgment of the court, although it is contrary to his own convictions. An oath to support the Constitution and the laws, is not, therefore, an oath to support them under all circumstances, according to the opinion of the individual who takes it, but it is, emphatically, an oath to support them according to the interpretation of the legitimate authorities. For the erroneous decisions of a court of law, there is the redress of a censorial as well as of an appellate jurisdiction. Over an act founded upon an exposition of the Constitution, made by the Legislative department of the Government, but alleged to be incorrect, we have seen the Judicial department exercise remedial power. And even if all the departments, Legislative, Execu These estimates, however, it will be observed, are made with a view, simply, to the appropriations by law for the expenses of the year 1814, and do not embrace a provision to satisfy balances of appropriations made for the expenses of preceding years, which have not been called for at the Treasury. But, it will probably be deemed expedient to make such provision by extending the new authority to borrow from the above balance, to six millions. If the 6 per cent. stock which has been sent to Europe should be there disposed of, it will form an item in the estimates of the ensuing year. As a portion of the amount to be provided during the present quarter consists of Treasury notes which will soon be due, it will be advisable to make them receivable in subscriptions to the loan. It is proper to accompany these propositions with a few explanatory remarks: 1. The first proposition contemplates a permanent ystem; but the estimate of the particular items of laims and demands upon the public must be regarded tive, and Judicial, should concur in the exercise of a power, which is either thought to transcend the Constitutional trust, or to operate injuriously upon the community, the case is still within the reach of a competent control, through the medium of an amendment to the Constitution, upon the proposition, not only of Congress but of the several States. When, therefore, we have marked the existence of a National Bank for a period of twenty years, with all the sanctions of the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial authorities; when we have seen the dissolution of one institution, and heard a loud and continued call for the establishment of another; when, under these circumstances, neither Congress nor the several States have resorted to the power of amendment; can it be deemed a violation of the right of private opinion, to consider the constitutionality of a National Bank, as a question forever settled and at rest? But, after all, I should not merit the confidence, which it will be my ambition to acquire, if I were to suppress the declaration of an opinion, that, in these times, the establishment of a National Bank will not only be useful in promoting the general welfare, but that it is necessary and proper for carrying into execution some of the most important powers Constitutionally vested in the Government. Upon the principles and regulations of the National Bank, it may be sufficient to remark, that they will be best unfolded in the form of a bill, which shall be immediately prepared. A compound capital is suggested, with a design equally to accommodate the subscribers, and to aid the general measures, for the revival of public credit; but the proportions of specie and stock may be varied, if the scarcity of coin should render it expedient; yet not in so great a degree, as to prevent an early commencement of the money operations of the institution. 4. The estimates of receipts from established sources of revenue and from the proposed new duties, and the estimates of expenditures, on all the objects contemplated in the present communication, have been made upon a call so sudden, and upon materials so scattered, that it is not intended to claim a perfect reliance on their accuracy. They are, however, believed to be sufficiently accurate to illustrate and support the general plan, for the revival of the public credit, the establishment of a permanent system of revenue, and the removal of the immediate pressure on the Treasury. Upon the whole, sir, I have freely and openly assumed the responsibility of the station in which I have the honor to be placed. But, conscious of the imperfections of the judgment that dictates the answer to the important inquiries of the Committee of Ways and Means, I derive the highest satisfaction from reflecting, that the honor and safety of the nation, for war, or for peace, depend on the wisdom, patriotism, and fortitude of Congress, during times which imperiously demand a display of those qualities in the exercise of the Legislative authority. I have the honor to be, &c., A. J. DALLAS. J. W. EPPES, Esq., Chairman, &c. A. Schedule of new taxes referred to in the letter of the Secretary of the Treasury to the Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, in which the taxes proposed in the report of the committee to the House of Representatives on the 10th instant, are principally adopted. 1. On spirits distilled from domestic or foreign ma H. OF R. terials 25 cents per gallon, computed on 24,000,000 gallons; provided the present tax on the capacity of the still should be continued. If it is thought best to lay the tax entirely on the liquor, then the tax on the capacity of the stills to be taken off, and 30 cents per gallon to be laid on the liquor. For the present estimate, it is taken at 25 cents per gallon - $6,000,000 2. On porter, ale, and strong beer, 2 cents per gallon, computed on 6,000,000 gallons 3. On manufactured tobacco and snuff, averaged at 5 cents per pound, and computed on ten million pounds 4. On leather of various kinds, averaged at three cents per pound, and computed on twenty million pounds 5. On pig-iron at $1,50 per ton, computed on 300,000 tons 6. On paper, at various rates, averaging 7 per cent. on the value of the article, computed on the annual manufacture of the value of 2,500,000 dollars 7. 8. 9. 120,000 500,000 600,000 450,000 175,000 Mr. MCKEE, of Kentucky, rose to move that a greater than the usual, number of this document be printed. From the reading of the report, he considered it an able one, and of a nature and interest abundantly more important to the American people than many documents in respect to which this course had been pursued. He wished, for his part, to be enabled to send to his constituents some copies; and therefore moved that five thousand copies thereof be printed. This motion was agreed to—70 to 57. CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY The resolution authorizing the Library Committee of Congress to contract for the purchase of the library of Mr. Jefferson, was again resumed. The amendment proposed yesterday, going to limit the sum to be given for the library to twenty-five thousand dollars, being yet under consideration. The discussion which commenced yesterday was to-day continued with considerable vivacity. The amendment was opposed by Mr. FORSYTH, and supported by Messrs OAKLEY of New York, PICKERING and JOHN REED of Massachusetts. Mr. HULBERT from Massachusetts, it ought to be mentioned particularly, being his first essay in this House, in a very ingenious and handsome H. OF R. Peacock and Epervier. OCTOBER, 1814. speech opposed, the amendment and advocated | charge of their duties, &c., and that it be referred the purchase of the library. The debate before its conclusion became rather too animated, and being checked by the Speaker, the question was permitted to be taken. There appeared to be on the yeas and nays, for the amendment 37, and against it 103, as follows: to the Committee of Ways and Means. Ordered, That Mr. WEBSTER and Mr. Cox be appointed of the committee appointed to inquire into the causes of the late capture of the city of Washington, by the enemy, in the places of Mr. STOCKTON and Mr. MILLER. YEAS-Messrs. Baylies of Massachusetts, Bigelow, Mr. INGERSOLL, of Pennsylvania, presented the Boyd, Bradbury, Brigham, Cannon, Champion, Cilley, petition of Oliver Evans (the same as presented Culpeper, Davenport, Ely, Geddes, Grosvenor, Jack-last session) for the extension of his patent for son of Rhode Island, Lewis, Macon, Markell, Moffit, the improvements in the steam engine.-Referred Montgomery, Pearson, Pitkin, Post, Potter, John to the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures, Reed, William Reed, Sherwood, Shipherd, Smith of in opposition to the wishes of Mr. INGERSOLL, who New York, Stockton, Taggart, Thompson, Vose, desired it to be referred to a select committee. Ward of Massachusetts, Ward of New York, Wheaton, Wilcox, and Wilson of Massachusetts. Mr. INGERSOLL, from the Committee on the Judiciary, reported a bill further to extend the judicial system of the United States; which was twice read and referred to a Committee of the Whole. NAYS-Messrs. Alexander, Alston, Archer, Avery, Bard, Barnett, Bayly of Virginia, Bowen, Bradley, Brown, Burwell, Butler, Chappell, Clark, Clopton, Condict, Conard, Cooper, Cox, Crawford, Creighton, Mr. KENT, of Maryland, from the District ComCrouch, Cuthbert, Dana, Davis of Pennsylvania, De-mittee, reported a bill incorporating the Columnoyelles, Desha, Duvall, Earle, Evans, Farrow, Find-bian Manufacturing Company of Alexandria, in ley, Fisk of New York, Forney, Forsyth, Franklin, the District of Columbia, which was twice read Gaston, Gholson, Goodwyn, Gourdin, Hall, Hanson, and committed. Harris, Hasbrouck, Hawes, Hawkins, Hopkins of KenThe joint resolution from the Senate, authortucky, Hubbard, Humphreys, Hungerford, Hulbert, Ingersoll, Irving, Jackson of Virginia, Johnson of Virizing the joint Library Committee of Congress ginia, Kennedy, Kent of New York, Kent of Maryland, to contract for the purchase of the library of Mr. Kerr, Kershaw, King of Massachusetts, King of North Jefferson, was read a third time as amended, and Carolina, Law, Lefferts, Lovett, Lyle, McCoy, McKim, passed. McLean, Moore, Moseley, Nelson, Newton, Oakley, Ormsby, Parker, Pickering, Piper, Pleasants, Rhea of Tennessee, Rich, Ringgold, Roane, Ruggles, Sage, Schureman, Seybert, Sharp, Skinner, Smith of Pennsylvania, Stanford, Strong, Sturges, Tannehill, Taylor, Telfair, Troup, Udree, Webster, Wilson of Pennsylvania, Winter, Wright, and Yancey, Mr. PICKERING moved an amendment, in substance the same as that moved yesterday by Mr. OAKLEY and negatived; the object of which was a selection of part of the library. The amendment was negatived by yeas and nays-52 to 96. An amendment was then adopted, on motion of Mr. OAKLEY, requiring the sanction of Congress to the agreement for the purchase of the library, before it should become binding. And, thus amended, the resolution was ordered to a third reading. WEDNESDAY, October 19. Another member to wit: from South Carolina, JOHN C. CALHOUN, appeared and took his seat. Mr. HUMPHREYS presented several petitions from the inhabitants of the State of Tennessee, praying that measures may be taken by Congress to open a public road, crossing the Tennessee river, some where near the mouth of Duck river, and intersecting the road from Nashville to Natchez, below the Chickasaw Old Towns.Referred to the Secretary of War. Ordered, That the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from the consideration of the resolution of the 22d ultimo, directing an inquiry into the expediency of making further provisions for protecting the officers of the customs in the dis The report of the Committee of Claims unfavorable to the petition of Alexander Sevier was taken up and agreed to. Mr. BAYLIES, of Massachusetts, offered a motion similar to one adopted at his instance at the last session, out of which an act had grown, which had passed the House, but had not been definitively acted on in the Senate. The subject of the motion was, a further provision for compensating masters of vessels who bring home to the United States distressed and destitute American seamen; into the expediency of making which his motion instructed the Committee of Ways and Means to inquire. The motion was agreed to. PEACOCK AND EPERVIER. The House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, on the resolution from the Senate expressive of the sense of Congress relative to the victory of the Peacock over the Epervier. The resolution having been read Mr. PLEASANTS, of Virginia, (the chairman of the Naval Committee,) said it was not his intention to detain the Committee by any extended remarks on this subject. The action to which this resolution referred, more particularly, perhaps, than any which preceded it, demonstrated the superiority of American gunnery. To show this, Mr. P. quoted Captain Warrington's letter to the Secretary of the Navy announcing the victory; and inferred from it that no action had ever taken place, between vessels of anything like equal force, in which there had been so great a disparity of execution. He hoped the resolve would be unanimously adopted. No objection being made or amendment proposed, the Committee rose and reported their OCTOBER, 1814. Military Marine-Relief of Commodore Barney. agreement to the resolve, which was ordered to a third reading; and was accordingly read and unanimously passed. THURSDAY, October 20. Mr. WILSON, of Massachusetts, presented a petition of John Crosby and others, on behalf of the inhabitants of Hamden, in the District of Maine, praying that the property recovered from the wreck of the United States' late ship Adams may be given to the said inhabitants, as a compensation for the losses sustained in consequence of the late capture of that place by the British forces. Referred to the Secretary of the Navy. The Senate having returned the resolutions from the House, in honor of Generals Brown, Scott, Gaines, Macomb, Ripley, Miller, and Porter, with sundry amendments, (not affecting the object of the resolves,) the same were referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. A resolution was also received from the Senate, expressive of the sense of Congress relative to the capture of the British sloop Reindeer by the American sloop Wasp.-Referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs. Mr. BURWELL, of Virginia, stated the reasons why he had not called up the motion he laid on the table the other day, calling for an account of the officers of the Army, state of the recruiting service, &c. The Committee of Military Affairs, he was informed, had the subject before them, and had received a document embracing all the information he desired, and which, when they were prepared to make a report, they would lay before the House. The Military Committee asked and obtained leave to sit for a week during the sittings of the House. Ordered, That Mr. PITKIN be appointed of the committee appointed to inquire into the causes of the late capture of the City of Washington by the enemy.. PUBLIC BUILDINGS. Mr. LEWIS, of Virginia, said, the House having decided that Congress should not remove from this place, he thought it proper some steps should be immediately taken towards making a provision for the better accommodation of the different Departments of the Government. With this opinion he moved the following resolution: Resolved, That the Committee of the District of Columbia be instructed to inquire into the expediency of rebuilding or repairing the President's House, the Capitol, and Public Offices, and into the expenses necessary for that purpose; and whether the public interest or convenience would be promoted by any change or alteration of the sites of said buildings. Mr. GHOLSON, of Virginia, said, he saw no reason for stirring the question of changing the sites of these buildings at present, and hoped the gentleman would expunge that part of his motion. Mr. LEWIS said he was of the same opinion as his colleague in respect to the inexpediency of changing the sites of the public buildings; but, H. OF R. as some gentlemen in the House were, he knew, of a different opinion, he had thought it best to place the question in its broadest shape before the Committee. Mr. GROSVENOR, of New York, moved to refer the subject to a select committee, instead of the standing committee as proposed. It was a subject interesting to the whole United States, and the importance of which was not limited to the District only. He thought, therefore, it should be referred to a general committee. He took occasion to say, that the decision having been made on the question of removal, it ought to be final; and during this Congress, at least, he was not disposed to move it again. It was the duty of this Congress, he conceived. to proceed in preparing for the better accommodation of the Government here. After some further conversation, Mr. G.'s amendment was agreed to-ayes 87; and Mr. LEWIS, Mr. KENT, of Maryland, Mr. HANSON, Mr. BOWEN, Mr. GROSVENOR, Mr. SHArp, and Mr. CONDICT, were appointed the said committee. MILITARY MARINE. The House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, on the bill requiring staff officers of the Army to comply with the requisitions of marine and naval officers in certain cases. Mr. PLEASANTS, of Virginia, explained the object of the bill, as indicated by the title, and quoted a letter from the Secretary of the Navy, recommending its adoption. Mr. WRIGHT, of Maryland, expressed his wish, whilst this subject was under consideration, that the subject should be thoroughly arranged; and, with that view, that a provision should be incorporated, settling the relative rank of naval to land officers, when employed, as they frequently are, in the land service. Mr. PLEASANTS assented to the propriety of such an amendment; and, with that object, moved that the Committee now rise, and obtain leave to sit again, to allow time to digest such an amendment as would be proper. The Committee rose accordingly. Mr. TROUP, of Georgia, suggested the expediency of a proper understanding on this head, between the Heads of the War and Navy Departments, and some reciprocal provision for mutual accommodation of land and naval officers, when out of their peculiar element, &c. Some amendment of this kind might well be incorporated when the bill should again come under consideration. Leave was given to the Committee of the Whole to sit again on said bill. RELIEF OF COMMODORE BARNEY. The House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, on the bill for the relief of the officers, petty officers, and seamen, under the command of Commodore Joshua Barney. Mr. PLEASANTS stated the object of this bill to be, to compensate the officers and men of the flotilla, for the loss of their clothes sustained by the |