- Connell John
I am threatened with an inflammation of the eyes—particularly of the left
eye, with which I have been heretofore severely afflicted— I therefore
rose this morning two hours later than my regular time, to avoid reading
or writing so much by Lamp-light— It disqualifies me at a very critical
time; but I trust is for the best; perhaps even for myself— At the House
I had a Conversation with Genl. Dearborn, concerning the
application which he made to me yesterday in the name of some of our
friends, to withdraw my resolution calling for the President’s Proclamation, I asked him
who they were— He named Ellsworth, Choate
and Letcher— I asked him whether
they supposed I had offered the Resolution without having reasons for
it; and whether they proposed to assume the right of controuling my
course— He said no—that in speaking to me he had acted entirely on his
own responsibility; but that if I did not withdraw my Resolution, it
would be voted down by a very large majority of the House— I told him I
should take my chance for that; but I should not withdraw my
Resolution,— I shewed to Dearborn, and afterwards to E. Everett an Article in the
Telegraph, taken from the Richmond Whig, calling upon Henry Clay to abandon the Tariff party
and save the Union—and I asked them what it meant— They did not know— In
the House, Wickliffe’s
Resolution, calling for a list of members of Congress appointed to
Offices, since February 1826. was discussed— Clayton made a short Speech for it,
and Speight one against it.
Kennon of Ohio moved an
Amendment that the President should be called upon to give the names of
all the members of Congress who have applied for Offices for themselves
or their friends since February 1824. which I opposed, it being very
obvious that the President could give no such information—especially
during the time of his Predecessors, I said I should vote for
Wickliffe’s Resolution asking for a List of the Members of Congress
appointed to Office; because it was information which being desired by a
member, I thought the House should in Courtesy grant it— But that at the
proper time I should vote against his proposed alterations of the
Constitution, which I thought would not be an Amendment— The Hour
elapsed, and the House proceeded to private business— They agreed to
adjourn over till Wednesday— C. C.
Clay just before the adjournment moved a reconsideration
of that vote, because the Committee of Ways and Means would be ready to
report on Monday an Anti-Tariff Bill; but the House adjourned— So that
my call for the Proclamation cannot come up before Wednesday, nor
probably before Thursday— The Potowmac river froze over last Night.
Mr
Connell was here this Evening—going for Philadelphia, to
get there before the Steamboat Navigation is closed.