\
-SPEECH
HON. H2NRY CLAY, OF KENTUCKY,
KSTATLISHJXG
A deliberate design, on the part of the late and present Executive of the United
States,
BREAK DOWN THE WHOLE BANKING SYSTEM
OF THE UNITED STATES,
COMMENCING WITH THE BANK OF THE UNITED STATES, AND
TERMINATING WITH THE STATE BANKS,
CREATE ON THEIR RUINS A GOVERNMENT TREASURY BANK,
UNDER THE EXCLUSIVE CONTROL OP THE EXECUTIVE;
REPLY TO THE SPEECH OF THE HON. J. C. CALHOUN,
OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
SUPPORTING THAT TREASURY BANK.
Delivered in the Senate of the United States, February 19*1838. *
WASHINGTON
VI)
* *- *
£<*
SPEECH.
Mr. CLAY rose, and addresser! the Senate as follows: I have seen some public service, passed through many troubled times, and often addressed public assemblies, in this Capitoi and elsewhere; but never before have I
risen in a deliberative body, under more oppressed feelings, or with a deeper sense of a-.yful responsibility. Never before have I risen to express my opinions upon any public measure, fraught with such tremendous consequences to the welfare and prosperity of the country, and so perilious to the liberties of the people, as I solemnly believe the bill under consideration will be. If you knew, sir, what sleepless hours reflection upon it has cost me, if you knew with what fervor and sincerity I have implored Divine assistance to strengthen and sustain me in my opposition to it, I s…