President’s Messft^e.
B '
ill
tr.
A't 12 o’clock on the 1st instant, the followinip: Message from
the Prcsidont was delivered to the two Houses of -^on •
gress by his Private Secretary, Robert TvlcS) -
Fellov.’-Citizens :
You have been assembled in respective b
of legislation under a proclamation bearing the sig
nature of the illustrious citizen who was so lately
called by the direct sufiVages ot the people to the
discharge of the iinportant functions of their chief
oxecutix'e office. Upon the expiration of a single
month from the day of his installation, he has paid
the great debt of nature, leaving behind him a n:iine
associated with the recollection of numerous bene
fits conferred upon thfe country during a long life of
patriotic devotion. With this public bereavement
arc connected other considerations which will not
escape the attention of Congress. The pn-para-
tions necessary for his removal to the scat of Go
vernment in view of a residence of four v':‘ars must
have devolved upon the late President heavy expen
ditures, wliich, if permitted to burden the limited
resources of his private fortune, may tend seriously
to the embarrassment of his surviving family; aiul
it is therefore respectfully submitted to Congress
v.'helhcr the ordinary principles of justice woul I
the sum of 8215,000 deposited ui the Mint and its
Branches fo procure metal for coinage, and which
could not be v.’ithdrawn without inconvenience;
thus leaving subject to diaft in the various deposi-
tories4he sum of 60^ 000. By viftu'eoftwo se
veral acts of CongrciiS'rthe Secretary of the Ticasu-
ry was authoiiz. d Ij on ^ind att^'i’ the fou. th
day of March list, Trrasui y Notes to th‘ amou’i
of 6-">.413j000, niLikijg an aggiegate available lun.
of 815,058.000.
But this fund was chargeable with outstanding
Treasury notes redeemable the current yt ar and in
terest thereon to the esi:iinat( d amount of iivo mil li
ons two bundled and eighty thousand doll irs.—
There is ako thrown upon the Treasury tlie l*ay-
ment of a largo amount of demands accrued i:i
whole or in part in former years, which will ex-
iiaucit the available means' of the Ti't'asury, and l^^aye
the accruing revenue, reduced as it is in amount,
burthened with debt and chargcd with the current
expenses of the Ciovernrnent. The aggreg:Ue
amount of outstanding appropriations on tho iburth
day of ?Jarch last was S33,4*iJ,GlG 50. ot whi' a
8i4.r~310,000 will bo reejuired during the current
and there u-ili also be rc'^’uirc 1 for the use nf
V«'a r:
:'i:ulOUS
n
.'1! 1
the War Dcpavtu' at aiditiOTi
the aiiiouni ol tw > ailiiuus tive hundied .uil i
not dictatc the propriety of its legislative int iposi-j tliousan 1 o;:' iiundred and thiity-twj dolla.s aii i
tion. By the provisions of the fundamental law', j nia i^'■-eight cents. tSie special object of which will
be seen by reference to tiie llepoit ot the Secretary
of War.
The anticip:!led means of the Treasury are great
ly inadequate to this demanl. The v ceipti from
customs for the List thiee quaiteis of the lust year,
and lirst quarter of the prescuiy. ar, a»nMunled to
^l'2,l00.00d; the leceipts for lands for th\‘same
tiiue to 42,150 ; showing an average revenue
fiom both souvctscf wl,*23vV.t'ro per nionlh. A
gradual expan-sion of trade growing out ot’a r>to-
lation of coniidi nee. together wiih a reduction of th*
e.speiist s c'f cjiltcting, and jiunctuality cn the pait
of collecting oliicers, may cause an ad htion to the
monthly n ceipts from tie* cu.-^toniS. TIk v ares-
the powers and duties of the high sta*i :n to whi, 1;
he was elected have devolved upon me, au*i in ihn
disposition of the re]»resentativcs of thv- St;-.tfs and
ot the People will ho found to a ^;,;'eat extciit a so-
I'ition 01 the problem to wijicl* our institutions are
ibr the nrst time siilj'^cted.
In entering upon the dnti- s of tliis oHlce, I did
not letd that it would be becoming in me to disturb
what had been ordered by my lamented predec ssor.
"Wliatever, therefore, may have bee^n my opinion, ori-
giually, as to the propriety of convening Congiess at
so early a day from that of its late adjouruaient, 1
ioT.ll a new and a controlling inducemint not to in
terfere with the patriotic desires of the late Presi
dent, in the novelty of the situation in which I was j timated' lor tlie residue of the year fiom the fjiirth
5-0 lUioxpcctedly placed. My tir^l wish, mider such ! of March at 81-,000.000 ; the receipts from the
t'Ircumstanccs, would h'^ve been to have called to { paeiic lands !br tlie samo jime a”e estimate-.l at e“;2.
• 5 • i 1 ....... . . I » •
nv
CO
of the whole system. The average saks of the
public lands, for a period of ten years prior to 18-
34, h:id not much exceeded $2,000,000 per annum.
In 1831 they attained, in round numbers, to the
amount ol 000 000; in the succeeding year of
Ith y ■' uclie-l 915,000,000; anj ihe next year
I )} Ln^y aino'.mt' d to th> enoianous sum of
*;'2 Th’is CLO'vdhig into the short spac:;
I j of liiree ye.us upwarl.^i >f twenty three years’’ puv-
ehase {»f liie public domaui. So apparent had hc-
come th'‘ r»ecessity of ari’« sting this course of things,
thai th'5 PiXecutive doparnn' nt assumed the hi,>rh]y
qneslion:»ble power of disciiminatiing in the funds to
be used in paym -nt b\^ diiferent classes of public
debtors—a discrimination which was doubtless de
signed to cpri t'ct t.his most ruinous state of things by
the exaction of specic in all payments for the public
lan ls, but which could net at once arrest the tile
which had so strc»ngly set in. FL-nce the demands
for specie became unceasing, und corresponding pros
tration rapidly ensued imd( r the necessities created
with file banks to curtail their di.sconnts, and thereby
to ?'ednce their circulation. 1 recur to these things
■ ,uh J;: .iosition to censure pre-existing adminis-
trauciis 0 I'ie Goveinuu"ni_ but simply in exeinnli-
ficatieni of the trut!i of the position which I have
• •-uvn ! If . ?!M,r fiscal agent which may be
creut- d b * placed, wiiliout due re«t:ictjen? 'hi
ther in the han.ls of tlic adniinistratois of the Oo-
verununt, or thuS ' of private ii^.divid'ials the teni}»-
tation to abuse will prove to be resisllss. JL>jects
of political aggrandizement may seduce the first,
an I the prornjjtings of bound!, ss cupidity w'ill as-
siil the last. Aided by the experi^'nce of tho past,
if will be the pleasure of C’)ngre£s so to cuard and
fortify the public interests, iii the creation of any
n: \v agent, as to p.le.c*' thi.ni. so fir as huuian wis-
liom cnii accomj)l'sh it. on a footing of peif-ct se
curing.
ifiiin a fev,-years past, three diilerent f^jdiemes
it;ive beiori^ the counlry. The charter of the
]-'>ank ot’ the United Stule.^ expired f>y itti own limit
ation in ISI^G. An eifort was matie to rcnevv it, which
received the sanetion of the, two llou.ses of Congress;
but the tlien rre^ideut ol the United States exerci-
; his .'‘e/o ])o\ver, and the nieai'urc wa defeated.
A regard lo truth reepaire. nir> to say that t!ie T^re.?-
5:3tales and thia Government expressly guara.nty to
the States ail the benefits which‘may arise from ihe
sales. Tile mode by Vvdiich this is to be effected ad-
drcoses itself lo the discretion of Congress as the
trustee for the States: and its exerci.se, after the most
beneucial manner, is restrained by nothing in the
grants or in the Constitutioa, so long as Congress
shall consult that equality in the distribution which
tiie compacts require. In the present condition of
som.e of the States, the question of distribution may
be regarded as substantially a eiuestion between di
rect and indirect taxation. If the distribution be not
made in some for«i or other, tho necessity v/ill daily
become more urgent with the debtor States for a re
sort to an oppressive system of direct taxation, or
tlieir credit, and neces.sarily their power and inllu-
ence, will be greatly diminished. Tne payment of
taxes, after the most inconvenient and opdressive
mode, will be exacted in place of contributions for
the most part voluntarily made, and therefore com
paratively unopj)ressive. The States are emphati
cally the constituents of tlii.s Government; ajid we
shoulil be entirely regardless of the objects held in
view by them in the creation of this Goverament if
we coul.l be inditferent to their good. The happy
effects of sucii a uieasure upon all the States v/ould
immediately be manifested. With the debtor States
it would etlect the relie!' to a great extent, of tlie
my in tnc aumuiisli'ation of public a'nuirs. the : 500 000; and Iroin rr iscelhineotiS resources at ^*17''*.- i.iv'ut \vac i'uiiy su- tamed in the cour-^e he had taken
combined vvusdom of the tv.’o Mouse''s of Congress ■ ; -luakii.:; an ajirre^'S'atc cf avaikibh' v.' th- • hy :!’? I’jopul.iv voice. Hi - jucccsser in the chair oi
in order to take their couijsei rjvd aivice us to tiie | in liir year of CM-V.Oru.OOO: v. hich. will }',a\o a ! ■ unquaiiHpdly pronounced his opposition to any
best mode of extricating the Govcnunuit and the ^
country from the embarlassmcnts weighing h-'avily
on both. I am, then, mc'st happy in iii;dii;g nivseif,
so soon after my accession to the Presi t noy. sur
rounded by the immediute representativco of the
States end people.
?So important chanr^'s li.-j^ iiig takru jdace in e>nr
foreign relations since the l.ist session of Congr(Ss,
It is not deemed ncce.^sary on this occasion to go in
to a detailed statenient in jegard t>) them. 1 am
happy to say that I sec nothing to destroy the hope
vi being able to pr* s* rvr pi;C'‘.
Tnc ratification of th^‘ treaty v.’ith Portugal has
Dcenduly exchanged bc^vveen the two Govtunments.
This Goveiiuneiit h:»s no* be-en inattentive to the in
terests of those oi our vutiz* ns who ii.ive claiins e>n
(he Government oi Sjtaiii, fj i;v}ed one.jLprcs3 treaty
.*^tipuhtions; and a hop-- is iniulged tlv.it the repre
sentations Vr'hich liave been made to that (.Govern
ment on this subject, may lead, ore long, to bciic ii-
cial results.
A corrcspon i' r.ce L't.- l.ik' n ydace 'between the
ticcretary of Stale nnd ;iie Minister of Her B.itan-
liic iM.ijesty accredited ro tais^Governnient, on the
subject 01 Alexander TnI’I,/je)d's in.iictment an I ini-
1, .isorr.ient, copies :.f which are hercwitli.coain.u-
iiic^iVvia to Congees.'’.
In adliiion t'j what appear.s from tiie.se papers, it
may be proper to state that A.l.-xnrler McLvod has
b *n heard by the Supreme C jurt ol'tho Stat“ of
NfW York on his motion rn ini disciiar'^ed fj'om im-
priscnment, and tluti the .! 'eifji..n of that couit h;iS
not as V'-t been nron junct.'^l.
probable delicit of Si 1. lUG.lS^ OS. To meet tliis
some tempo ary provision is n-"cc:s.ii'y. tmtil tii.
amount can be absorbed by the e.v.cess of revenues
\\ hicn are anrici'patcd to accrue at no distant day.
Tiiere will fill due withm the next three m(jnths
l’r(.'asury notes of th*' issues of 1^40. inclndin'ir in
terest, about H2.85U,ih)0. 'I'Jiere is chav^-eable in
'lie .same pericxl for arrt araces f >r taking the sixth
c«aisu.", S2;M.0'J0; and the estimate'd exjienditures
for the currdit seivice are aeout 88, UH),OOJ, nia-
king the aggregate demands upon the 'iheasury,
prior to the hist of September next, about i^'l I.L’ 1'*.-
000.
'ih'.’ ways and mr-ans in the Treasury, and esti
mated to accrue v.'ithin th- abovenauied p- rio l. cont
.^ist of nbout ‘oG94.000; of {r.n-ds available on tiie
2Sth ultimo; an unissued l.>al:m-e ot 'I'reasu-iy
notes autlioiizid by the act of loil. an.oimting to
>?l5955.000; and estimated receipts f.om all sour
ces, of ^3,8*00.000: making anag^ieg.a of al'oe-
S5..i50,000. and leaving a probibl * tb hcit on th-
1st of Sv’pteinber jiext oi i..845-00d.
in order to supply th.' w.uits of the (lovernment.
an intellig>-nl ct)nstituency, in view of their best in
terests. v^■lll, u'ithout hesitation, submit to all ikcis-
s.irv buidens. Bat it is neverth de*ss important so
to impose tluiTi a.s to avoid eb feLling tho just exp« c-
tutions of the countiy. growing out of } re-exi-tine
laws. The act of the :id Mnrch. iS33. comr.ionly
called tlie compioniise act, snoi J I nut be altered ( x-
cept under urgent necessities, v. hich arc not believ-
eei at this time to exist. Une yinr only remains to
j complete the series of reduclii.'iis pro.vid^^d for by
Thf'Secretary of S^ite bar addressed to me a pa-! that l;tw. al which time provieions made by the
' ‘ ' ' sani(3 law, and v.-hicli then will be bi0U:^lit actively
in aid of the manufaciu/ing int !re.s!.-> oi th - Cnlem.
will not fail to produce the mos. bv.neficial r-suits.
Under a system of di.scri’.umataig duties impose.l
for purposes of revenu % in un.t i.i with the provi
sions of existing laws, it is to be hope! th it o.ir p)
licy will, ill the. future, b ' fixed a\i I p .'rm tUen^ )
as to avoid tho.se con.st,uK fiucrtjatijns whicli d*. t** it
the very objects th y iiive in m w. We shall
tints best maintain a position which. wn:l j it 'Vill
citizens froai a heavy burden of direct taxation
^vincli pre3s3.s with fjcv'crity on the laboring classes,
and would eminently assist in restoring the general ■
prosperity. An immediate advance would take
[.‘hi*iu tlie price of the State securities, and the
lude oi‘ the States would become once more, as
it should ever be, lofiy and erect. W’^ith States la-
L).:)ring under ro extreme pressure from debt, the
fund which they v.'r>uld elerive from this source
v.'ould enable them to i>;.'irovc their condition i.a an
eMuinent degree. So tar ac I' is Governntcnt is con
cerned. appropi
ing in rnnount
sales, might be abandoned, and thus a system ot
unerpial, and therefore unjust, legislation would be
substituted by one dispensing equality to all th^
members of this confederacy. Whether such distri
bution sliould he niadi directly to the States in the
I'rocced.s of the tiales, or in the ibrai of protlts by
virtue of the operations of any fiscal agency having
those proceeds as its basis, should such measure be
contnnplated by Congrress, would well deserve its
consideration. Nor would such disposition of the
proceeds of the sales in any manner prevent Con-
2,ress tVom tinie to time iVoin passing all necessary
rjight be conducted witxiout any iuri,hcr cad upoa
the general Treasury.
The power of appointing to office is oac of a caaractcr th^
most dolicate and responsibU;. The appoiiuin^ power is cy -
enaorc exposed to be led into error. With anxious solicitude
to select t!ie most trustworthy for official station, I caaiiat bo
£-ippo3?»i to possess a ♦jrsorial k.aowledga of th.^ «jualificatious
of ev,:ry applicant. 1 deem it therefore pTop;;r, in this most
public luiaaor, to iiivitc;, on tho part of tha Senate, a just
ccrvitiny iruo ih.; ohj.rae?C'r and prutcrisions ox evjry person
'^yhom I may briny th ;ir notice la thc^ rjgular form ol a uo-
ml'i ilion for Oiiiee. L’lii'^ss persons cyery way trustworthy
arc employed in the public scrviep, corruption and irregularity
will inevitably follow. 1 shall, with the groatast cheerfulness,
acquicseo in tiio dacision of that body, and, regarding it as
w isely conslhuted to aid the Executive J>up3na}eut in thepcr-
forni:inee of this u, licato duty, 1 sh:iU look Uy its ooasent and
advico as given only in lurtheraace of the best interests of the
country. I shall, also, at the proper occasion, inv»to
the attention of Congress to ^luiiffieasures as ;:i niy judgment
will bci best CLilcuia^ed to jrcgulate and control the Ex^cutivo
pcw’er in reference I j this vitally important siiiyect.
^ I stiall also, at th^ proper season, invite yuur attention to
the. statutory enactnionts lor liio supprcEsiGii of th-? slave-trade,
wh*ich may be required to be venaered more efticient in their
provisions, 'i'ii'.rc is reason to believe th.it tho tratic is on tho
mcreas \ \V*iathe:r fueli inrrease is to bo a.=.’r;bsd to the abo
lition of slave labor in liic British possessions in our vicinity,
and a:i a'.t jndiint diiiiinulion in th^; supply of those hrticles
which enter into th.: general consumption of tlie woiki, th^ri -
hy au^^inentin^ the deni'in'I iroui oth^r (f.iirters. and riiuscfiil-
iii'i fur additional labor, it v% err ncedb.^s * j inqu.rc. The* hiff!.-
est con'^’dcrations of puhii ’ h-ji^r, as -.vli as tti^' snon^fcr-t
pr.vnptings of humanity, require arjsort ta.'Jr. most vigorous
t^i^rts to suppress tho trade.
In CuiiCiUrrlon, I beg L-avs to in\ite. your par;i"u'Lar ottontioa
lo ^hi interests of this District. jXor d j *I doubt thnt, in a
lib.'^rnl spirit of legi.^lation, yon will getk to advanee its corn-
111 roi-il a.s Well as its local mien sis. Should Congress deem
it-to be its duty to repeal the existinjr sab-trcasjry law, tho
noce.ssity of providing a suitable place of deposue fur the pub
lic nio.ncys which, may bo reqnirjd within the District must
be apparent to oil.
I navt: felt it to bo du" to the country to pr.s.^nt the forc"o-
ini^ topics to your ronsideration and reil otion. Others, w'ith
which it nii?lit not seem proper to trouble you at an extraor-
U!tO
d
to believe, is towards the adoption, in a spirit of union and
harniony, of .«uch measures as will fortify the public interests.
To cherlsli such a tendency of public opinion is the task of an
ckvated patriotism. Tliit ditl’-rcnces of opinion as to the
moans ot aecomplishing these desirable objects should exist,
is reasonably to be cxpjctcd. Nor can all he s.atisiied with
any sv-tem of measures. But I flatter mysjlf v.ith the hopo
that the [freat body of the people will readily unite in support
of those whose tlForts spring from a disinterested desire to
promote their hapj incss ; to pres; rve the Federal and State
Gdveriimonts within thoir respective orbits; to cultivate peace
Vvhh all the iiatijns of th3 earth, on just and honorabl ’
grounds; to exact obedieii'ie to the laws ; to entrcnch liberty
and property in full security ; and, consulting the most rigid
ee. Ho tar ac I' ls Govenunent is con- ^'l'lc;l it mi?ut not seem proper to trouoie you at an extraor-
priations to domestic’ object.s, approach- : session, will be laid botor? yoiyit a luiurc day. I am
I hippy la committing the important allairs of tno rountryuito
nt the iineniie deiived ironi the land t The tendency of public sentiment, I am pleased
pre-C'in])tion laws tor the henefit of actual settlers, or ! economy, to abolish all us.l.ss expanses.
per ’i’>.-n tv.'O .subjejcls, mtere^-’ing to the connneioe
ef tf;e cuunti V. v/hich wil: r.; es ive mv c ,...ndera-
t.'-n, ai!i v.'iiicii I have the li jnor to cominu’.hcate lo
Cong-' ss.
oo !ar as it d- pc’ids up'-n ?}]'"> course of this Go-
rnnici
our relations ol good-wiA and fiiendship
vrlll be sedulously cultivated wiih all nations. Tiu-
t.uC* Amcncaii polic}* wiil be t'oand to ccnsi.^t in the
exerCiSe oi a spirit oi justice to be manifested in the
discharge or all our international obligations, to the
v.'Cakest of tii‘3 family of rntions, as well as to the
most jowcrlul. Occasicnnl conflicts of opinion
may arise; but wlicn the discussions incid-nt to
t.'ici.'i are c nducted in the language of truth, and
With a strict regard to ji;.St!C(-, the scourge of war
AVid, ior tiic most part, be avoided. The time ought
to be regarded as hnving gone by w hen a resort to
arms is to be esteemed as tiio only proper arbiter of
national difieri nee s.
The census rcccn\\y taken sliows a regularly
rrogresslvo incr-as--:' in our popuiation. Upon the
, Wcahiiig out of t]ie vrar of the Revolution, our
nli::;t:crs sr’arcely ef^tiallee! three iTiillioiis of souls;
tljX'y alreatly exceed seventeen millions, and will
continue to progress in ratio which duplicates in a
period of about tweri.'y-tljree years, 'I'he old States
contain a territory sufficient in itself to maintain a
r-opulati.-^n of additional miliie us, and the most popu
lous of tho ncu^ States may ev ii yet be regarded
as but partially sculcd, wdiile of tlie new Lmds en
this side ol the Rocky M(/untain.s, to say nolhing ci
the immense region which sitrctches from tjio base
of those mountains to the .south of tho Colun-.bia
river, about 770,000,000 of acres, ceded and imce-
ded, still remain to be brought into market. We
hold out to the people of other c i.untriec) an invita
tion to coniC and setiio among us as members of our
rapidl)’-growing family; and, for the blessings which
wo offer them, we require of them to look upon our
country as their country, and to unite with us in the
great task of preserving our in.-titutions, and there
by perpetuating our libe'rties. No motive exists for
foreign conquest. '\Ve desire but to reclaim our al
most illimitable ■wildernesses, and to introduce* into
their depths the lights of civilization. While we
shall at ail times be prepared to vindicate the nation
al honor, our most earnest desire 'will be to main
tain an unbroken peace.
In presenting the foregoing views, I cannot with
hold the expression .of the opinion that there exists
nothing in the extension of our empire over acknow
ledged possessions to excite the alarm of the patriot
for tho safety of our institutions. Tlie Fedt-rative
system, leaving to each State the care of its domes
tic concerns, nnd devolving on the Federal Grovern-
inent those of General import, admits in safety of
the greatest expansion, but, at the same time, 1 deem
it proper to add, that there will be. found to exist at
all times an imperious necessity for restraining all
the functionaries of this Government wdthin the
range of their respectiv e powers, thereby preserv
ing a just balance between the powers granted to
this Government and those reserved to the States
and to the People.
. From the Report of the Secretary of the Trea-
^>ury, yon will perceive that the fiscal means present
and accruing are insufficient to supply the wants of
the Qoverninent for the current year. The balance
in the Treasury on the fourth day of March last,
not co^’^ered by outstanding drafts, and exclusive of
^,n?t funds, is cstimatcd at $860,000^ This includes
e^nable us the more i'udiiy to in* it the t;dv;ii;c^>
of eitht'r countries calcuhitcd to pvc\n*ite oui lu.ue
ond commerce, will at ihc s.ime tiuit 1 :5\o in our
own hamls the means of retaliating v;ith greedier ef
fect unjust regulations.
In intimate connexion with the qi:. vion of rf'vc-
nue^ is th.it which inalcts provision f>.' a suital)!'*
fiscal agent capable of ad ling increiscd ficilitiee in
the collection an.i disbursement of tho public reve-
nu'^-s, rendering more secure their custody, and con
sulting a true cconomy in the great multiplied and
d'dicatc operations of the Treasury D.-partnu-nt.
Upon such an agent depends, in an eminent degree,
the establibhmiut of a currency of tmiform value,
w’hich is of so great importance to all the esscnticJ
interests of society; and, on the v.'isdoni to bi man
ifested in its Ci’eatiou, much dep in Is. 3 ) int'inate-
ly into; svoven ar-i its oi)C‘".tiion3 no: only v.'ith the
interest of in livi lual', but with those ejf the ;:>t.it».s,
that it m iv bj ;eg,irded in a great d ‘grfo as con-
trol’iiig both. If paper be used as the chid’ medi
um of circulation, and the power bo ve.sted in the
Government of issuing it at pleasure, either iu the
form of Treasury drafts or any other,—or if B inks
bo used as tho pu')lic dt^positories, with liberty to
regard all surphisses froui d;iy to day as so much
added to their active capital, prict s are exposed to
constant fluctuatienis, and iniustry to senx'ie suffer
ing. In one case, political considerations, directed
to party purposes, may control; while excessive cu
pidity may prevail in the other. 'I'iie public is thus
constantly liable to imposition. K.\pansiijns and
contractions inay follow each other in rapid succes
sion, tho one engendering a reckles.s spirit of ad
venture and spcculrttion, which embrace-s States as
well as individuals; the otiier causing a fall in pri
ces, and accomplishing an entire change in the as
pect of affairs. Stock of all kinds rapidly decline—
individuals arc ruined, and States embarrassed even
in their efforts to meet with punctuality the interest
on their debts Such, unhappily, is tiie state of
things iiow existing in the United States. These
effects may readily be traced to the causes above
referred to. The public revenues, on being remo
ved from the then Bank of the United States, un
der an order of a late President, w'ere placed in se
lected State Banks, whidi, actuated by the double
motive of conciliating the Government and aug
menting their profits to the greatest possible extent,
enlarged extravagantly their discounts, thus ena
bling all other existing banks to elo the same.
Largo dividends were declared, which, stimulating
the cupidity of capitalistfi, causcd. a rush to be made
to the Legislature of the respective States for simi
lar acts of incorporation, which, by many oi the
States, under a temporary infatuation, were readily
granted; and thus the augmentation of the circula
ting medium, consisting almost exclusively of pa
per, produced a most fatal delusion.
An illustration derived from the land sales of the
period alluded to, wiU serve best to, show the effect
111 eiva.-iei oi a eiinihir in-titeriion ; und not only
The ropi.Ic eleotioa vhi-]i bj’»>uglit him into power
I'Ui tiic cteeticns through much of Iiis U-rm. seeuK-
eieiirly to iiiilicate a conetirrenee. wiih him iu t^enti-
ment on the [>art of the people. After the public in >
ae*y- were vrithdrawn fr >m iho St iti^s nun!.,
they were ]»laced in (t.epo.site with the State L5ank.s,
and* tl)c res;;it of that policy has bet'n helbre the
-counfiy. To .-^ny i;oihinjr as to the que.‘?tion wheth
er that ex|'>eriincnt wa.s made uiuler [»ropitious or a 1-
verse eireiinictaneei;, it may safely ho ;i.scrted that
it did re ‘t'i\ellie uneuaalilied conih'innation of lao.st
ol’ its early advoc.iles, and it is believed was als;>
conileinned by tli*' pomilar sentiment. Tiie exisii-.ig
f^uh-ireasury syslein (.loe.=; not .'^eem to stand in iiigh-
t r favor wiiii the ]'CO['h\ but has rcecntly been con-
demne'd in a manr.' r too j>lainly indicated to admit
ot a tiouht. 'i’l'nN, in i!ie ^hort period ot’ ight years,
ihe ])opular voice n, '.y be regor.ied as havin'? ?,uc-
ee.'Sively condenmed eaeii ot th;; three schemes of
ti:.:ince !o whieli i Inve ad\ erted. As to tiie fir.-;i, if
w.is iiii.'odiieed. at u time (1S16) wiien tiie State
Ijhh'k.s. ih;M coaipai’atively fe\V in i u nher, had been
lorced fo su.sp'^ad epecie ptiynK-re.., ’ y ; .-.isoit of iht.'
A'l'ar which lia 1 pri'vi »a;ly prevaih-ii witndreot J3ri-
tain. Whether, if tiie United Sf iles H:ink charter
v. hieh expired in ISii had been renev.'cd in duo Sv'a-
t^oa. it would ha.ve been ciiuhlod to ronlinue specie
payments duriujr the war, and the disastrous perioil
to the roauaorco of tho counl.ry which iinnie.diatelv
rnccectij i, i>:, to .=^ay the le.ist, prohleinaticti!; aad
v. Iietlier tiie United States Haukof ISlet j^roduced a
rertoration of specie i)ayrnents, or tlie same u as ac-
coinplis-hed throu^Ii the iustrmn-Nitaiity of other
iH'.'ans, wa.-s a maitiu’ of some diliiculty at that time
to determine. (.Certain it i.s, that, for the fir.st five
years ot’ the operation of that Bank, its course was
a.s di.?a.-strcu. as for tiic greater part of its suos'. qu'.'ut
ciiriMT it became eniitienfly successful. As to tho
si'eond, the exjieriment was tried witli a re-V.mdaiit
Treasury, whicli eoniinue.i fo inr.r' ase until i. seem
ed to be the part of wir:dotn lo di-tribute tiie surpluo
revt'nue ainOit'’ the States which, operating at tho
e.me time v.'ifli the Jjpccie circuhir, and the causes
beiorc adverted to. caiiscd them to suspend spe-cie
l'a\ p.t;.'n‘s. fia;l involve I tlic country iu the greatest
e.nh.irr.'Ls.=;:i;ent. And, as to fiie tiiird, if carried
thr-'Ugh all th«’ efi:t's of its transmutation, from pa
per a"tl specie lo iiothing but the precious metal.s, to
r \y the i.i-.eciirily of the public money s,
i.-> i'ljnriwus euerts nave he. a anticipated by the
coai-rry in its uunu.iiified condemnation. What is
now to bo regarded ;is the judgment of the Ameri
can peo);le on tins whole suliiect, 1 have no accurate
means ot' doterininin hut by appealing to their
i.innciiiate ri;presentai:ves. The late contest wiiicii
t Tiaiuat 'd m the elt'ctiou ol (Jen. Harrison to the'
Preside!!.-y, \va.5 ileciJed oti ])rinciples well known
and openly detdeavd : and, vrliih' the .sub-treasury re-
ct'ived in the result the ino.^t decided condemnation,
yet no other scheme of finance seemed to have been
concurretl in. To yon. then, wiio have come more
directly from the body ot our common constituents.
I .submit the entire que.^tion, as best qualified to give
a full exj>ositi(in ot’ tlicir wishes and opinions. I
shall he ready lo concur vritii you in the acioption of
such sy >-i(Mn a.*^ you may pro]!ose, reserving to my-
teii’ 'ae uitiinate pou’er of rejecting any measure
wlu’ch M'lV II my viev/of it conllict with the Cour
niuituui. or >ih>.rwise jeopard tiie prosperity of the
cnimtry—a power whirii J couid not part witli, if I
■\ u.l'i ; b\i vhii-1'. I v.'iU not behove any act of yours
\vill call into rcqcitjUion.
I cannot avoid recm-ring. in connexion witii thi.^
subject, fo fhe nece*ssity whicli exi&ts for adoptm:'
some suitable measin’e wherel)y the unlimited crea
tion ot' Jjitnlcs by the States may be corrected in fu
ture. Such result can be most readily achieved by
the consent of the States, to he expressed in the
forai (d‘ a compact among themselves, which they
cen only enter into with tiie consent and ap.probation
ot’ this Government: a consent wliich might., in the
{)rrs(.‘at emeri^ency of the pul)lic demands, justifia
bly he giv'en in atlvance^ ct any action by the States
as .an inducement for such action upon terms well
deliiied by the act of tender. Such a meas'jre, ad-
dros.seil to the calm reHection of the Statc.s, would
tind in fhe experience of the past, and the condition
of the present, much to sustain it. And it is gretitly
to be doubted whether any schem.e of finance can
p ovrt lor any length of time successful, while the
States shall continue in the nnrestrc.ined exercise of
the power of creating banking corporations. This
power can only bo limited by their consent.
With the adoption of’ a financial agency of a sat
isfactory character, the hope may he indulge*! that
the ccmnrty may once more return to a state ot pros
perity. IMeasures auxiliary thereto, and, it» soine
measure, inseparably connected with its success, will
doubtless claim the attention of Congrcs.s. Aiuoiig^
seich, a distribution of the proceeds ot the sales ot
the public lands, prov’ided such distribution does not
force upon Congress the necessity of iinpo!?ing upon
commerce heavier burdens than those contemplated
by the act of 1S33, would act as an eflicient remedial
•mr»r»c*n*»o Vk\r Koii'irr KmnO*llt in Hul oF tllC
measure by being brought directly in aid of the
States. As one sincerly devoted to the task of pre
serving a just balance in our system of government,
by tiie maintenance of the States in a condition the
most free and respectable, and in the full possession
of all their power, I can no otherwise than feel desi
rous for their emancipation from the situation to
which the pressure or> their finances now subjects
them. And, while I must repaeiiate as a measure
foundeai in error, and wanting constitutional sanc
tion, the slightest approach to an assumption by this
Governm ;nt of the debts of the States, yet I can
see, in the distribution adverted to much to recom-
i^end it.' The compacts beivreen tho proprietor
from in vkiu'j any nev/ arrau'^ement as m the price
of the public land.s v/hich mig!it in tutur^bc esteem- i
ed desirable. |
i l.cg leave particularly to call your attention to j
till' accompanyiu' report from tlic Secretary of I
\7ar. I3e.'-ide.s the pre-'ont state of the war whicli has |
so long alllicted the Territory of Florida, and tlie |
various other matter.s ot’ interest thereiu referred to, [
yon will learn from it that the Secretary has institu- j
tod au inquiry i.ito abri.ses, vchicli proir ■ -es to devel- j
oj)8 gro?K enormities in connexion with Indian trca- |
tie.'^ vv-’iich have lieea negotiated, a;? well as in the ex - 1
penditares tor t'ae removal and subsistence of the; j
Indians, Ho re . resent.'^, also, other irregulaiitie.s c;f j
I serious naturvi li.at have grown up in the jiracticc i
of the Indian I>er,artini it, v, hicli wil! require th-:' I
appropriation of upwarils of S-dO,000 to correct, |
and which claim ‘die immediate alteution oi iJ in
gress.
In rejecting o.i tlie proper mean; of defending the
ccmntry, we cannot slmt our eyc.s to t!ie constquen-
ce> v.'hicli tlie introduction and the use e>f the power
of steam UjH)u the ocean are likely to produce iu wars
bctvvoen maratiine State.s. "We cuniiot yet sec the
e\tent to wiiich this power may be applied iu belli-
gereiit operation?, connecting itself as it does with
recent improvements^ in the science of cjunncry and
projectile;;; hut we need have no fear ol’ being left,
in regard to these tilings, behind the most active and
skilful of other nations, if the genius and enterprise
of our fellow-citizcn.^ receive proper encouragement
and di'*ection from Oovernment.
True u-isdoui would, ncycrthcless, seem to dictate
tlie necessity of ]dacing in pcrfect condition those
fortificatiou.s vrhich are designed for the protection of
o'ur principal cities au I roadsteads. For the defence
of our extended maratiine coast, our chief reliance
should be ]>laced on our navy, aided by those iiiven-
tion.=3 jvhich arc dciitined to recommend tliemselves
to pnhiic adoption. But no time should be lost in
pl icing our principal cities on the seaboard and the
lakes in a state of entire security Irom foreign as
sault. Separated as we are Irom the countries of
tile old world, and in much unafiected by their poli
cy, we are hapjiily relieved from the necessity of
m intaining i Jrge standing armies in times of peace.
The policy which w^as adopted by Mr. Monroe,
sliortly^ at’ter the conclusion of the late war with
Great Britain, of preserving a regularly' organized
staff sullicient lor the command of a large military
force, should a necessity lor one arise, is t'ounded as
W..I1 in economy as in true wisdom. Provision is
thu.s made, upon filling up the rank and file, which
can readily be done on any emergency, for the intro
duction of a system of discipline both promptly' and
eflicicntly. All that is required in time of peacc is
to maintain a sullicient number of men to geiard our
fortifications, to meet any sudden contingency', and
to encounter the first shock of war. Our chief re
liance must be placed on the militia. They consti
tute the great body of national guards, and, in
spired by’ an ardent love of country', Avill be found
ready at all times, and at all seasons, to repair with
alacrity to its defence. It will be regarded by Con
gress, *1 doubt not, at a suitible time, as one of its
highest duties to attend to their complete organiza
tion and discipline.
The state of the navy pension fund requires the
immediate attc*ntion ot Congress. By' the operation
of the act of the 3d of March, 1337, entitled “ An
act for the more cepiitabie administration of the na
vy pension fund,-' that has been exhausted. It will
be seen f’rom the accompaiiying re^port of the Com
missioner of Pensions that there will be required for
the payment of navy pensioners, on the 1st of July’
ae:;L iBSi ^06 06 1-3; and on the 1st of January’, 1842.
ilic i^uru eif !fj;C0,000. In addition to these sums, about
,$6,000 will be required to arrears ofpension.s, which
will probably be allowed between the 1st of July
and tiie 1st of January, 1845 : making in the w’hole
$150,006 06 1-3. To meet these payments there is
within the control of the dcp >rtment the sum of S^28,
000, leaving a eleficit of .%‘121,0ti6 06 1-3. The pub
lic faith reeiuires that immediate provision should be
made for the payment of these suras.
In order to introduce into the navy a desirable effi
ciency. a new system of accountability may be tound
lo be* indispensably necessary. Tc mature a plan
havinir for its object tlie accomplishment of au end
so important, and to meet the just expectations of
the country, require more time than has yet been
allowed to the Secretary at the head of the Depart
ment. The hope is indulged that by the tune of
your next regular session measures of importance,
HI connexion with this branch of the public serv'ice,
mav be matured for your consideraton.
Although the laws regukiting the Post Oftlce De
partment onlv require from the olTicer charged with
its direction to report at the u.sual annual se.ssion of
CoiTjrcss, the Postmaster Genertil has j»resented to
me some lixcts, connected with the financial condition
of the department, which are deemed worthy the
attention of Congress. By the accompanying re
port of that oliicer, it appears that the existing lia
bilities of^thai department, beyond the means of pay
ment at its command, cannot be less than five hun
dred thousand dollars. As the laws organizing that
branch of the public service confine the expenditure
to it.«! owrn revenues, deficiences therein cannot be
presented under the usual estimates for tho expen
ses of Government. It must therefore be left to Con
gress to determine whether the moneys now due to
contractors shall be paid .from the public Treasury,
or w’hether that department shall continue under its
present embarrassments. It will be seen, by the re
port of the Postmaster General, that the recent let
tings of contracts, in several of the States, have been
made at such reduced
encourage the belief that,
licved fr.om existing d’
Washington, Juno 1, 1311.
JOHN TYL£R.
MarricLl,
In this County, on tlie 3d instant, by^ the Rev. Cy_
rus Johnston, Vnlliani Esq., to Mrs. Nancy
Patton.
[Most bountiful ‘‘Fee’- received—Ihousands of
compliments to oirer, but no room to publish them.
In tiiis County', on the 3d instant by Wm. Boydes,
I'.sq.. Mr. Aadi'tic Hodden to Miss Cuyithia Beatty.
COLUMBI A, S. C., .TUNE 3, 1811.
Cent
!.
Cent.®.
1 Bliooli,
pc; lb.,
S
a
Pork, per Ib.,
7 a 10
i Butt(;r,
a
37^
Molasses, gal.
33 a 43
lU'Ct'',
8
vd
Lard,
10 a 13
Cotton
b
a
IQl
Peas,
56 a C2
Corn.
70
a
75
Sugar, loaf,
19 a 22
Im)wIs,
cacii,
20
a
25 j
do brown.
8 a 12,
Flour, barrel, TOO a 80*1) j Tea, hys., lb. 125 a 1;'^0
II ice, bush., 300 a 330 j do guap. 125 a 130
- CAMDEN, S. C., JUNE 5, 1S41.
Beef, in market, 5 | Corn, bushel,
Bacon, from wa?., 7 a 8
Butler,
Beeswax,
Bale Rope
CofFee,
IS a 25
IS a 25
2i
10
11 a 16
Flour, barrel,
\ Feathers,
j Iron,
I Lard,
j Oil, currier.s,
j Molasses,
I Salt, per sack
r>o
•So 50
37 a 45
5a8
10 a 12
5 a 100
15 a 50
250
IVotice.
T
Schools tor Mecklenburg County^ are request
ed to a.'isemblo at the ofHcc of the County Court
Clerk, iu the tov.ui of Qhariotte, on Friday th.e lltlt
inst, at 11 o'clock, a.m., for the transaction of import
ant buinl.e.ss. B\ order of
ONE OF THE BOARD.
June 1, 1811 13....tm
TO THE
Fashionable Public.
iT-fE Subscribers respeci-
fully tender their tlianks to the
citizens of Charlotte, and the
public generally', for the libe
ral patronage they have recei
ved since they commenced the
Tailoring Business
in this place. From past ex
perience, they now have no
hesitation in saydng that they
are prci)ared to give general
satisfaction to ail who may iavor them with their
patronage. All work done in their establishment
will be w'APRANTED, SO tar as making and cutting is
concerned. They' iiave just received their Spri?i"-
and Summer I''’ashioiis, and will continue to re’iceive
regular reports of English and French Fashions.
Their Shop will be found in the south-east wing
of Mr. Leroy Sprins;s’ brick building.
TbETHUNE & JOHNSON.
Charlotte, April 20. 1840. 7....y
THE Subscriber respectfully bega
leave to inform ^tlie citizens of Char
lotte, that he has made ample arrangements to fur
nish them for another y^ear w'ith first rate BEEF.
He has been in the business now nearly’ tive years,
and the quality of his Beef, and the moderate prices
at which lie has hitherto sold it, he hopes will insure
him a continuance of liberal patronage. He will
butcher and ofler in market none but Beef of the
very best quality-, and nicely* dressed.
THaMAS GOODLAKE.
March 16, IS 11. 2-r
liiye.
The Subscriber respectfully’ announces to the
citizens of Concord and the surroutxding coun
try. that he has oponed a GROCERY STORE in
the town of Concord, where he will keep constantly
on hand a large and carefully selected supply of
©lEcsoiasiniss §
Siich as—Wines and Liquors, imported and domes
tic ; Susrar; Coffee; Broad ; Crackcrs ; Cheese ; Le
mons • French Prunes; Cakes; Raisins; CandieSior
all kinds, Toys; prime chew’iug and smoking Tobac
co- Spanish Cigars of the best quality; Garden
Seeds of every kind ; Indigo ; Copperas; Madder;
Ginger ; Spicc; Pepper, Almonds ; Cloves ; Cinna-
mon°; English Walnuts; Maccarotii ; Veraxaselli ;
Sardines; Herrings; Essence of Cinnamon; do. Pep
permint, and a variety' of other articles too tedious^
to mention.
The underigigned hopes, by etrict attention io bti-
siness, and by keeping a complete stock, to merit
1 rates of compensation as fo and receive u liberal share of piddic patronage,
hat, if.ho dopa^tmcn. v.-ero re-' „ . . _ h
ifTiC’Jllies. its tutur^ oprri'tic>n;5 I .»iay . w . . •