Mr. GREGG, from the committee of conference on the same bill, observed
that the conferees on the part of the Senate did not discover any
disposition to recede from their amendments. The conferees on the part of
the House stated the danger of losing the bill if the conferees did not
relax, and proposed to meet them on the ground of compromise, by taking
off the duty of eight cents imposed on salt. To this proposition the
conferees on the part of the Senate declined acceding.
Mr. J. RANDOLPH moved that the House adhere to their disagreement to the
amendments of the Senate.
Mr. ALSTON.--Having done every thing in our power to repeal the duty on
salt or to lessen it, the only question is, whether we shall continue the
Mediterranean fund until the next session or not. I call on gentlemen to
take a review of the different estimates from the Treasury during the
present session, and to consider the expenses they warrant--I allude
particularly to the appropriation of two millions towards the purchase of
the Floridas, to decide whether we can do without the Mediterranean fund.
The great object with me in advocating the repeal of the duty on salt was
to obtain the Mediterranean fund. We have done our part to effect this
object. I believe with the aid of that fund, though the duty on salt had
been taken off, our revenue would have been sufficient; though even the
greatest economy would have been requisite in the disbursement of the
public money.
Mr. J. RANDOLPH.--I hope we shall adhere to our vote, and I will give
my reasons for indulging this hope. I do not profess to be so well
acquainted with the subjects of finance as some other gentlemen on
this floor. But if the Mediterranean fund is to be continued for so
short a time, it is obvious that the revenue to be gleaned from it will
be proportionally small. The arguments of gentlemen therefore rebut
themselves. They declare that they want a revenue, while they acknowledge
that the continuance of this tax will produce but a small one. I hope
that we shall keep the Mediterranean fund as a hostage for the salt
tax. If between this and the next session a deficiency shall occur in
our ways and means, to meet the demands of the Government, it will not
be the first time, as I know it will not be the last, in which I shall
step forward to vote a supply to meet every honorable demand. If there
shall be deficit, as there is no reason to believe there will be, I
pledge myself as one of those who will meet it. I wish to adhere to our
vote, that the Mediterranean fund may be lost; for we have been told by
those who, I presume, are well acquainted on such points, that such a
course will enforce economy, and I wish I could add, in the words of an
honorable friend who has no longer a seat here, would ensure economy.
The question was then taken by yeas and nays on adhering--yeas 40, nays
47.
The House then agreed to recede from their disagreement to the amendment
of the Senate--ayes 45, noes 36.
_Hamet Caramalli._
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole on the bill sent
from the Senate, entitled “An act for the temporary relief of Hamet
Caramalli.” The bill was reported without amendment, read the third time,
and passed--yeas 71, nays 6.
_Adjournment._
Mr. EARLY, from the committee appointed on the part of this House,
jointly, with the committee appointed on the part of the Senate, to wait
on the President of the United States, and notify him of the proposed
recess of Congress, reported that the committee had performed that
service; and that the President signified to them he had no farther
communication to make during the present session.
A message from the Senate informed the House that the Senate, having
finished the legislative business before them, are now ready to adjourn.
_Ordered_, That a message be sent to the Senate to inform them that
this House, having completed the business before them, are now about to
adjourn until the first Monday in December next; and that the Clerk of
this House do go with the said message.
The Clerk accordingly went with the said message; and, being returned,
Mr. Speaker adjourned the House until the first Monday in December next.