Whereas the United States Bank was created for the purpose of aiding the General Government in carrying on her financial operations, and furnishing facilities to the commercial enterprise of her citizens and whereas instead of pursuing that course by which these objects might be accomplished this institution has sought to embarrass the whole monetary system of the nation and for selfish purposes has spread ruin and insolvency throughout the commercial community

By directing its whole power and influence against the General Government and attempting to embarrass and distract its administration.

By entering the political arena and in order to effect it’s ends diverting a considerable portion of it’s means to subsidizing and corrupting the press.

By illegally and unjustifiably interfering with the redemption of the Stocks of the U.S. by which it attempted to defeat the liquidation of the public debt at the period contemplated by the Gen^l[General] Gov^t[Government]

By illegally siezing the dividends due to the Gov^t upon it’s Bank Stock almost without a pretext and by an unjustifiable and improper conversion of the same to it’s own use.

By illegally detaining the possession of the Books and papers relating to the pension agencies, thereby defeating payment of pensions due to a large number of the veterans of the revolution who had shed their blood in the attainment of our liberties and independence.

By refusing to submit it’s Books and papers to the examination of a committee of congress expressly appointed for such purpose agreeably to the provisions of its charter, thereby setting at defiance the will of the nation solemnly expressed through it’s constituted authorities.

By greatly expanding it’s discounts and when our citizens have been thus induced to Overtrade suddenly and without any sufficient cause curtailing those discounts, thereby bringing insolvency and distress upon the Commercial Community, with a view of coercing a recharter from the Congress of the United States, regardless of every consideration but it’s own interests.

And whereas such a train of abuses violation of law and misapplication of it’s powers have not only justly destroyed the Confidence of the great mass of Community in it’s Officers, but demonstrated beyond doubt that an institution with such powers as the Bank of the United States endangers the Stability of our Republican institutions and tends to undermine the foundations of our Government.

And whereas our venerable Chief magistrate has by his fearless and patriotic exposure of the corruption and malversation of this soulless institution drawn down upon himself the undying enmity of it’s friends and advocates in and out of power, and as a necessary

---

consequence is now exposed to their attacks in all modes and from all quarters, and whereas the crisis thus presented by the affairs of the General Gov^t not only justifies an exercise of that right on the part of the Legislatures of the several States of the Union, which they unquestionably possess (as immediately representing the people) subject only to the restrictions imposed upon them by their respective constitutions, to express the sense of the people upon all great and interesting national subjects, but imperiously demands that that right be exercised, and that a decisive expression of opinion by the several members of the national confederacy upon this and other important subjects involving as they do, most deeply the happiness honor and prosperity of the whole country should be given.

Therefore Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Illinois, that the Bank of the United States by it’s abuses of it’s legitimate powers, by it’s malconduct, and assumption of powers not delegated to it, has justly forfeited the confidence of the nation, transcended it’s chartered limits in it’s mode of conducting business, and therefore ought not in any shape to be rechartered.

Resolved that the removal of the public deposites from the Bank of the United States

---

considered as well with regard to the time as the manner in which it was done was an act done under an imperious sense of duty, called for by the occasion, and in strict accordance with constitutional rights, and therefore has our decided approbation;

Resolved that in our opinion the majority of the Senate of the United States in refusing to permit the entry of the protest of the President of the U.S. on it’s journals in relation to a resolution passed by that Body tending to impeach him for the removal of the public deposites committed an act which arbitrary and unjustifiable in itself was an indignity offered to the nation in the person of her chief magistrate.2

Resolved that our Senators in Congress be instructed and our representatives requested to oppose the recharter of the United States Bank, or the restoration of the public deposites to that institution:

Resolved, That while we continue to repose undiminished confidence in Andrew Jackson President of the U.S. and highly approve of the whole course of his administration, as contributing in so eminent a degree to advance

---

the honor and prosperity of the nation we peculiarly approve of the course pointed out by him for the action of Congress in relation to our claims upon France: a course called for by the ungenerous and unjust conduct of the French Gov^t and which characterized by moderation and forbearance is well calculated to preserve unsullied our national honor, and at the same time to coerce a payment of claims so justly due, but so long and so unreasonably withheld, and which by peaceful means we cannot be open to obtain.3

Resolved that our delegation in Congress has our entire approbation for the support given by them to the present administration of Our national Gov^t.

Resolved that the Governor be requested to transmit a copy of the aforegoing preamble and resolutions to the President of the United States, and to each of our Senators and Representatives in Congress.