Saturday, March 2.
Bank of the United States.
Mr. P. B. Porter, from the committee to whom was referred, on the twenty-fifth ultimo, the memorial of the Stockholders of the Bank of the United States, made the following report, which was read:
"The committee to whom was referred the memorial of the Stockholders of the Bank of the United States, report:
"That they have carefully examined the various matters set forth in the said memorial, and attentively listened to the representations of the gentlemen who have appeared in behalf of the said petitioners. The object of the memorialists is to obtain extension of their corporate powers beyond the period limited for the expiration of their charter, so as to enable them to prosecute for their debts, and to arrange, liquidate, and close the various concerns of the company.
"The committee are of opinion that a law of Congress, granting the powers prayed for, would facilitate the final adjustment of the affairs of the bank, although they do not think such a law indispensable to that object. But believing, as your committee do, that, in granting the original charter to the stockholders, Congress transcended the legitimate powers of the constitution; the same objection now presents itself to the extension of any of their corporate capacities.
"If the committee had time to go into the investigation, and to present to the House the various reasons which have conduced to this opinion, it would be more than useless to divert its attention from the important concerns of the nation, at this late period of the session, to a subject which, but a few days since, was so fully and elaborately discussed.
"They therefore beg leave to introduce the following resolution:
"Resolved, That the prayer of the memorialists ought not to be granted."
The House agreed to meet to-morrow, (being Sunday.)
The House then adjourned to six o'clock this evening.
March 2—6 o'clock, p.m.
Adjournment.
On motion of Mr. Smilie,
Resolved, That the thanks of this House be presented to Joseph B. Varnum, in testimony of their approbation of his conduct in the discharge of the arduous and important duties assigned to him while in the Chair.
The Speaker then made his acknowledgments to the House in the following words:
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives:
I acknowledge, with grateful sensibility, the aid you have afforded me in the discharge of the duties of Speaker. Your approbation of my conduct in the important office you have been pleased to assign me, affords me very great consolation; and permit me to assure you, gentlemen, that you have my most ardent wishes for your individual prosperity and happiness.
At this moment, Mr. Garland, from the committee appointed for the purpose, reported that they had waited on the President and informed him that they proposed to adjourn, and had received for answer that he had no further communication to make.
A message was received from the Senate, and reciprocated, that they were about to adjourn; a motion was then made to adjourn, and carried.