Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 2, No. 19, Ed. 1, Tuesday, May 30, 1837 Page: 2 of 4
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The chair appointed,
Messrs. Hill, Augustine and "Wilson said select committee.
On motion of Mr. Horlon the senate adjourned until to-
morrow morning 10 o'clock.
Friday, Mat 19.
The senate was opened with prayer by the chaplain.
Mr. Irion from the committee on enrolled bills, submitted a report
of having presented the joint resolution appointing an agent to the court
of Great Britain to the president, and the resolution had received his
approval."
Mr. Hill from the committee on public lands, to whom was refor-jresojutjon
red the petition of Sterling U. .Robertson, reported that the nature ot
Accepted by Mi". Ellis ;
Whereupon,
It was. ordered by the senate that the report be received and 500
copies be printed for the use of the senate.
Mr. Irion from the committee on enrolled bills reported several
bills which had been presented to the president and received his appro-
val. Mr. Somervell from the committee on military affairs reported un-
favorably to the petition of John W. Cochrane.
Mr" Horton from the committee on claims and accounts to whom
was referred the resolution from the house of representatives in relation
to the claims of A. Huston reported that it was .inexpedient to adopt the
the petition was such that it more properly belonged to the action ot j Spent therein, the doors were opened
the judiciary man or mis congress. Mr. Horton introduced a bill in
Mr. Hill from the select committee, towhom was referred the peti- jc'iatc justices certain powers therein named.
tion oi vireenoury JjOgan, maae a repori iavorauie io me pentionor, anu j
The senate then went into secret .session, and after several hours
in, the doors were opened.
orton introduced a bill in pursuance to notice, giving asso-
a joint resolution for his-relief.
The rule being suspended, the resolution passed a second and third ;
reading in the senate.
Mr. Everitt from the committee on claims and accounts, reported
a bill for the relief of col. A. Huston.
Mr. Horton made some remarks commendatory of the conduct and
course of colonelgHuston, as quarter-master general, and the impolicy
of granting land scrip to individuals in compensation for their accounts
against the republic. He moved the bill be recommitted to the same
committee. ' "
On motion of Mr. Lester,
The senate adjourned until tc-morrow 10 o'clock."
Wedxrsdav, May 2d.
The senate met pursuant to adjournment.
Mr. Everett presented a petition from the Hon. S. Rhodes Fisher,
secretary of the navy, praying an investigation of certain documents
relating to recapture of schooner Hannah and Elizabeth.
Mr. Everett from Ihc committee on claims and accounts, to whom
was referred the petition of J. M. Allen, reported a bill for his relief.
liii aiuato then, went into secret session, and alter sonic tunc
Adopted. (spent therein, the doors were opened
On motion of Mr. Irion, Mr. Horton was added to the committee i A message was received from the house of representatives, ihro'
on claims and accounts. ; Mr. Grew their secretary, informing the senate that the house had pas-
Mr. Everitt introduced the following joint resolution : . ,sed the tall for the relief of those who lost property during the war.
Resolved by the senate and house of representatives, That they will 'pae act t0 authorisc associate justices to act as judges of probate
adjourn on the first day of June next. Iancl notaries public in certain cases, passed a second reading.
Mr. Somervill introduced a bill to incorporate the Brazoria in- j On motion of Mr. Irion, the senate adjourned until to-morrow, 10
surance company. g i o'clock.
AfM P.tnHtft aKCaaaJ li vfmnf t-..i nC fliA Kill Uniiipn if mr n
HAL. AUrulllL ULJIUOICU lu tliu luociiuuii ui tiiu uiii, uuuauru it. uo
contrary to a resolution introduced and adopted a few days ago, saying
no more "private of local business after the resolution was adoptod.
Mr. Somervill contended the bill was not private or local in its nature,
that that clause of the bill -providing for the improvement of the en-
trance of the mouth of the Brazos, did not only materially benefit the
.county of Brazoria, but all the counties on the Brazos.
' The senate refused to receive the bill.
The joint resolution providing for elections in depopulated coun-
ties, was, on motion of Mr. Irion, referred to the committee on the ju-
diciary. On motion of Mr. Ellis, the senate adjourned until 8 oclock, P. M.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Debate on the charter of the Aransas and Red River Banking Compa
ny, continued from our last.
one already chartered, I shall ever have confidence enough not only to
oppose its creation, but to support any measure that will have a tend-
ency to counteract its baneful influence. We are told, Mr. Speaker,
the "first charter was granted on grounds of policy. Let us look at the
present -situationUl"' our country, and let us suppose the bank already
chartered would be administered with all the purity it is possible to ad-
minister a monied institution a country with a population of less than
one hundred thousand inhabitants, and without any other currency than
sueh as emanates from one source ; and the managers of this source
authorized to issue thirty millions, more than five thousand for each
freeman-; and let us remember that by nature we are restless, that
money is ever enticing ; a spirit of speculation gets up the bank is
called" upon to discount ; it issues freely property gets up" to most ex-
travagant prices the bank refuses any further accommodations- The
people look in vain for some othor source for relief. The price of every
thing falls, and the bank to wind up the catastrophe, takes the property
of the citizen at its own price. Who does not know-that such an inv
mense amount of capital, and so perfectly irresponsible and unrestrict-
ed, would hojd at its will the property of the country. To such policy
as this I am opposed. I declaimed against granting the charter on the
grounds of policy, and policy alone for I had no other. "The people
have seen the impolicy of the measure and I hope they will notabate
their exertions until they have counteracted the evil effects that" mutt
necessarily befall this country, if the bank already granted is to move
onward without check.or control. .- .
I, Mr. Speaker, am not an advocate for banks '; and I regret that
banking with snch a loose rein was not discovered to be an evil before
the chartering of any; but the evil is upon us, and to be told to create
a new evil to rid ourselves of the first is the summit of foil)'. Then,
sir, our lives are nothing less than a series of folly, for our course
through life is but a choice of evils and of the, two evils, a monied mo-
nopoly without check or balance, and several banking companies of so
enormous amount of capital as to conflict with each other in their opera-
tions, I would much prefer the latter. The gentleman from Brazoria
warns us not to inflict an evil on our ountry for the next century" j I
warn members not to neglect any opportunity that has a tendency to re-
move an evil that is. already inflicted on our country for-the next century?
- The gentleman from Austin, with his usual ingenuity in debate, tells
us that in some five years it may be necessary to create another bank
to act as a check upon the one now incorporated, an alluring salvo to
8 o'clock, p. m.
- The Senate met pursuant to adjournment.
A message was received from the president by his private secre-
tary, Mr. Richardson, of a private nature.
The senate went into secret session, and after some time spent
therein, the doors wore opened.
Mr. Irion, in compliance with notice given several da's ago, intro-
duced a bill for the incorporation of the town of Nacogdoches.
On motion of Mr. Everett, the scnato adjourned until to-morrow
morning, 10 o'clock.
.--' Satukdat, May 20.
The senate met pursuant to adjournment.
Mr. Irion, from the joint committee on Indian affairs, reported that
the said committee had this day submitted a bill to the house of repre-
sentatives on that subject.
Mr. Irion, from the committee on enrolled bills, reported that the
sard committee had presented to the president, for his approval, a bill
for the relief of ministers of the gospel, and
A joint resolution appointing a minister to run the boundary lino
between this republic and the United States.
Mr. Everett, gave notice that on Monday he should introduce a
bill to regulate the practice of the law in this republic.
The senate then went into secret session and after some time
spent therein iie doors were opened.
The bill ro incorporate the town of Nacogdoches passed,
A third and last reading in the senate.
The senate then,
On motion of Mr. Everitt,
Adjourned until Monday morning 10 o'clock.
Mr. Gant requested Mr. Wharton to explain whether the individua
who, "under other circumstances he would have arraigned at the bar o
the house" was 'a member or not. S
Mr. Wharton explained by stating that if the individual was a mem
j ber he would have call for the arraignment at once.
Mr. Gant said,
Mr. Speaker, a motion for an indefinite postponement of a biil, be
fore it has been read through, appears to me an unusual mode of pro-
ceeding; and I inquire of (he speaker if the motion i;; in order?
Speaker, A motion to postpono indefinitely is in order at an'
stage of a bill.
Mr. G. I did not expect to take any part in this discussion until the
motion of indefinite postponement was made. We are told, sir, that
a sufficiency of banking capital is already chartered. That there is too
much, I have no doubt; and I much rcgiet it is so. I, sir, was opposed
to the charter granted last winter; but I ask members who voted for
that charter, how can they, with any degree of consistenc7, or consistent
with the oath they have taken to support the constitution, where it is
declared, " Perpetuities or monopol'es arc contrary to the genius of a
free government, and shall not be allowed.' I ask, how can they, after
having granted one charter, refuse to grant, to another company, ajirc-
cisely similar charter; aud by such refusal make the one already granted
a monopoly beyond doubt, and a direct violation of the constitution, which
says, ' monopolies shall not be allowed." 1 do not intend, Mr. Speaker
to inquire into motives members may have had -for supporting the char
ter already granted; but I will go as far as the member from Brazoria
has gone: he tells us if congress grants another charter, the pcopldof
the United States will think " there is something wrong in Denmark."
What new evidence, what new ground of suspicion will appear, should
congress extend to other citizens the same privileges they have already
granted to others. But should they refuse, will not such refusal afford
some evidence, some ground of suspicion, that " there is something
wrong in Denmark."
We arc also told " that some of the wisest and most patriotic statcs-
J men of the United States, were of opinion that $35,000,000 was too
large an amount ot banking capital tor 9,000:000 ot population: and
that an institution-of such immense capitalof so great influence ,
Monday, May 22.
The senate met pursuant to adjournment.
- ?rayor by the chaplain.
The bill to incorporate a protestant episcopal church at Matagor-
da, passed a second reading in the senate.
Mr. Everett introduced a bill regulating the practice of the law in
- this republic.
The rule being suspended, the bill passed a second reading, and
made the order of the day for to-morrow.
On motion, ex-president Burnett was invited to take a seat within
the bar of the senate.
Mr. Everett from the committee on claims and accounts, to whom
was referred the petition of Sebastian Francis and John W. Bryan, re-
'ported a bill for their relief.
Mr. Irion called up the bill for the protection of the northern fron-
tier, which after some amendments, passed a second reading, and iho
"rule being suspended, the bill passed a third and last reading in the
'senate.
Mr. Irion introduced a bill fixing the salary of revenue officers.
-i rassed a nrst reading.
.-postpone the present application. I appeal to common sense, and I
appeal to every reason-Ale man, if thirty millions of dollars at the dis
posal of one company of men, cannot purchase at this time the greatoi
part of the covntr' if it cannot control the government and country
and if we are to receive no relief before five years, it will come too
t- Mr. Chcnaweth s.iid, I am really astonfshed to hear the argu-
ments of the gentlemen in the opposition, all of whom were last winter
favourable to the passage of a precisely similar bill, and had then de-
clared their willingness to grant similar charters to any applicants in
thejDaujiiyiU-tbTniusj 1 will pledge myself not only
that the money shall be paidTTnUtnat the bank shall go into full opera-
tion, and that the interests of the communit' will be, comparatively with
the other charters, increased ten fold. This charter redeems its own
paper, while the other gives a contiol of 33 millions. We propose not
to require alone the property of the capitalists, but individual property
of every-description is pledged for the redemption of the notes issued by
this bank.
Although I cannot urge my views with the eloquence of ths oppo-
sition party, I at least feel competent to appreciate the merits of those
bills, and the probable amount of good or evil to the community at large.
I asserted at Columbia, that the first charter would prove a curse
to the country if granted; that 15 millions of capital, without security,
would be thrown into the country, with the privilege to issue 33 millions
and it is now found outjthat by a similar charter our credit will be raised
fn the United States. What docs, or what can the Unitod States know
the matter, but that-wc gave one charter, which was a perfect mo
nopoly, calculated to ensure the wealth of a. few men, and wield the
destinies of the hoIe country, and that we now grant anothor, having
for its object the good of the people, jiclding a universal benefit, and, as
I will frankly avow, to have been the only object of the movers of the.
bill, that it may prove a check to the baneful influence of the other
charter.
Mr. Brush said,
Sir, I have been in the United States from the 10th of January to
the -lth of April, and of course had many opportunities, by men of com-
mercial intelligence and good sense, of ascertaining what that part of
the United States thought of us. One gentleman observed, " Texas
would be dangerous to the liberties of the people. If this was the opin- must be in a flourishing slate. Your Texas congress is very munificent:
ion of some of the wisest and most patriotic American statesmen, at the j it is doing very well. You voted away a charter of five millions to a
time of -granting the charter for the United States Bank, what would
they think of the liberties of the people of Texas, with a population of
less than 100,000, with a monied institution, under the entire control of
a iew individuals, authorized to issue to the amount of 30,000,000, and
a congress refusing to grant similar privileges to any other individuals?
If we arc to have no other money than such as emanate from this "char
tered privilege," with the right of issuing to the amount of more than j
.5,UUU to each freeman in the country, what can it not effect? What
can $'30,000,000 not do in Texas in her present situation? Is there no
danger to bo apprehended from such an institution
few individuals without a dollar in the country." And another asked
me if I could not favour him with a charter enabling him to run a rail-
road from Live Oak to Bexar. I informed the gentleman that I voted
not for, but against that charter. They replied, I had done well ; for
all our legislation consisted in granting one charier, and making one
c Sir, I would rather have seen twenty thousand Mexicans invade
us, than to have seen that charter pass into a"law: for we could, with
little difficulty perhaps, whip and annihilate them, but we-can never get
1 rid of this devouring monopoly. I once dared to raise the standard of
It is also argued, that if the institution already chartered is so great independence at Goliad, and biavc the anger of our foes. I now raise
an evil, why charter a similar one? I, sir, have been taught from my this second standard here, in open defiance of a dictation worse than
infancy, nor have I been able to discover the fallacy of the.maxim, tln't that of Santa Anna, as the only chpek on the dreadful evil we bad com-
the best way to defeat the evil disposition of one rogue, is to set another
to watch him.
Mr. Speaker, before members vote for an indefinite postponement of
the bill under consideration, I w sh to call their attention to the first
! article in our Bill of Rights. It is thero declared that "All men. when
they form a social compact, have eqiial rishts; and no man, or set of men.
? rtfitlnn 4rt in & . y.i19vo j- Htin7innJn 1) HHUT,. Z 1,.
mi . . w . . - . "w iw lu-wuoiii -y tiitoif ia vi uuiumcuia, his ia iiiu iusl
ane senate men went into secret session, and after some time rionin.mn f ;;., r,i t ,., ,u c... .: . .i. .- il u..
r,., U- .lj j i "1v.iuiiiiiuu ji . nwvi iuuiji;. jl una mc mat scumuuin mm waa jbsuuu i nmuui
jmucu., we uuurs were openeo ana on motion, at Philadelphia in '76; and should over be at the head of the declara-. Mr. Brush explained, and it was deemed satisfactory
ujuumeu urnii a o ciock, p. h. tnis evening.; tjons of a freo and macnanjm0lIS ne0nle. And .if thev have acted with-1 Mr. Bakerof Matagorda, said, that regarding the other s a per-
8 o'clock, P. 31.
- The enate met pursuant to adjournment : when,
On motion ot ilr. Everett, wo senate went imo-aecfet session, mid
-after some time spent therein, the doors were opened.
Mr. Horton gave notice that on to-morrow be should introduce a bill
to authorize associate justices of the countv courts to act as notary pub-
lic and judges of probate.
And also, at as early a day as practicable, a bill to establish a na-
tional bank.
r- - On motion of Mr. Auguslin,the senate adjourned until to-morrow,
r 10 o'clock.
mitted, and call on the gentlemen who sustained the last charter, con-
sistently with themselves to support this. I belieycthcre is, honesty
enough inthe hoosejtopassjliisjjill. Jhough,it'as-said-thore. was not
aiThonest man concerned in the last.
" ""The speaker caliedMrrBrush to order, and severely remonstrated
on the unprecedented liberty he had taken in the house, and challenged
a single instance of such language being tolerated in a legislative as-
out duo consideration in granting one charter, I beseech them to con
sider well this time what the' are doing, before theyfote for an indefi-
fect mammoth, an intolerable monopoly, he felt himsclf-conscicntiousi'
bound to vote for flic present one, in order to ctfecta corrective'to the
nite postponement of the bill; thereby refusing, in violation of the first other, and if possib'e-to counteract its all-;
lat ' no man or sot of men arc entitled " iur. Wharton said it was not shown,
Tuessav, May 23.
The senate met pursuant to adjournment.
-Opened with prayer by the chaplain.
Mr. Hill chairman of the committee on public lands submitted a
lengthy, able and detailed report upon the subject of the public domain-
and other subjects in relation to that topic
Mr. Hill stated that it was the in'cntion of the committee to rcpot
a bill on the subject of public lands at as early a time as possible it be
ing now-in preparation by the committee for its introduction into the sen-
ate. Mr. Ellis was aware that the report would not be properly in pos-
Pssj3sionof the senate until its rpcepiionby that body; therefore ho should
vote'for its reception. Yet notwithstanding the report evinced much
labor and attention bestowed upon it, and notwithstanding there was
,much to commend and little to condemn, he could not te for a concur-
rence with that report: ae moved its reception and that 100 copies be
r printed.
Mr, .Somervell moved 500, which was
absorbing influence.
declaration in our constitution, that ' no man or sot of men arc entitled j-" Mr. Wharton said il was not shown, nor he ceuld riot" see howihis
to exclusive public privileges," to grant to other citizens the same privinstitution could counteract the other: on the contrary, experience has
leges they have already granted to one uset of men." ' proved that coalition necessarily results from two banking institutions
I would rather our country had been invaded by 20,000 Mexicans, 'of a precisely similar kind; and if there be an evil resulting from the
than to have had this bank charter passed into a law: the first would i one, it is mthcr a singular, way to correct by creating another. If the
have been only a temporary evil; the latter ia to remain a permanent other charser be all-sufficient for the necessities of the country, it is an
incubus upon tho peace and true prosperity of the country. open violation of the plighteel faith of this government to grant another
Mr. Spcakeo, I am not astonished to hear it called foolish, blind, for the avowed object of marring the efficiency of the first, and can be
and wicked legislation, to oppose the interest of members of this house, considered in no other light thai: as an absolute fraud.
When I wished to oppose it last winter, I was told it was indecorous; Mr. White said,
and 1 remember the remark of my friend from Liberty, " ho hoped no use-1 Sir, I have no preteusions to answer the arguments of the gentle-
less argument, would be made against the passage of that charter." J men from Brazoria, or to engage with him in a discussion on the merits
And I regret, sir, that the honorable member from Brazoria did not dis-'of the bill. But as it has been asked more than once for a single in-
cover last winter the folly, the blindness, and wickedness of granting a ! stance in which the present charter is calculated to counteract the des-
similar chaiter to the one now applied for. But I am astonished, Mr. J potic influence of the former, I can only reply on the acknowledged
Speaker, to hear of a " fraud upon chartered rights:" when yourself grounds that competition in commerce or trade must, of necessity,
and other members of the house pledged yourselves to vote for all aj.- equalize the standard valuo of goods, and so regulate the market as to
plications for similar chartcis,.wilh the view of procuring for the go-! be beneficial to all parties in the community, f would ask, what would
vernment the bonus of twenty-five thousand dollars! Is government less j be the deplorable condition of this country, if one company of merchants
needy now? If this unprecedented corporation under these circum- wcic exclusive! chartered with the privilege of introducing merchan-
.stanccs, in its present embryo state, dare to cry out, " fraud upon disc, establishing such number of trading houses as they in their wis-
chartered rights," and proclaim a proscription against all other monied dom might deem most expedient for themselves, the uncontrolled power
corporations, is it not already a monopoly? What may we not expect I of regulating their prices, redeeming their paper, and paying the interest
from il in years of maturity? Tmay be presumptuous, Mr. Speaker, I , on it rt their own convenience ? What a tremendous monopoly would
may possess an inordinate degree of confidence I do assure, gentle-! this prove ? what an unjust and exclusive privilege ! what an absolute I
men, that when the rights and the liberties of a free people are confided ! control over the commerce and purses of the people of Texas ! Does '
to my keeping, and I discover these rights, and their liberties arc jeo- not any expedient or remedy for such an evil present itself? Can no '
pardised to the mercy of such a mammoth banking institution as (he i alternative or no check to this optional plunder of the people be devised?
M
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Borden & Moore. Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 2, No. 19, Ed. 1, Tuesday, May 30, 1837, newspaper, May 30, 1837; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth47932/m1/2/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.