Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1816-12-14

eonntotion. The great utility Of Randard. fixed |
10 its nature and founded on the eafy rule of
decimal pro, oftions is sufficiently obvious I, led
the government at An early aa9e, to preparatory |
Assps for introducing IL; and completion of the |
work will be juR title to the pubIic gratitude.
The importance which have attached to the |
sRAblifhment of Univerfty within this Diarct, |
On fsals, and for objects worthy CT The Ameri-
-so nssint induees me to renew my recommends.
Nof 70 the favorable confederation Of Con-
ID particularly invite, again their atten-
le eypediency Of elerci6ng their exiting
mi where necedary, of referring 10 the
sed mode Of en,arging them, in order o ef.
compr ehenGve fyRem Of roads and canals
will have the effect of drawing more eoie
fthee every part Of our country, by promot-
Iusercourfe and improvements, and by iucreaf-
the ihare Of every part in the common itOek
Of national profpesi,y
Occurrences having taken place which shew
that the statutory provisions for the dspeussuon
Of criminal Justice deficient in relation both TO
places and 10 persons, under the exclusive cogni
OF the national authority, an amendment Of
the law, embracing such cases. will merit the ear,i-
est attention Of the Legislature. 1t will be
sonsbe occasion, also, for inquiring how far Leg
islatye interposilion may be further requisite in
providing penalties for Offences designated in the
constitution or in the statutes, and TO which either
penalties are annexed, or none with sufficient
certainty. And submit to the wisdom Of Con.
gress. whether enlarged revisai Of the Grim
iaal code be not expedent for the purpose OF mit-
eating, in certain Cases, penalties which were a.
dcptee into it, antecedent to experiments and ~
smpIes which justify and recommend more euient
policy, %' t,ef,1
The United States having been the FIST to abo,-
ish, within the extent of their authority, the
transporatel Of the natives of Africa into slavery,
BY prohibiting the introduction Of slaves, and by
Furnishing their citizens PARTICIPATING inshs traffic,
cannot bot be- gfatifed at the progress made BY
concurrent Efforts Of other nations. towards gen.
eral suppression OF 90 great an evil. They mus,
feel the same time the greater soieitude 10 give
the fullest efficacy to their own regulations. With
that view, the nterposition Of Congress appears 10
be required by the violations and evasions whch,ii
IL suggested, are chargeabe on unworthy citizens,
who lnngle in the slave trade under foreign flags,
and With foreign ports; and by conclusive impor-
<ations of slaves into the United States, through
adjoining ports and territories. present the sub
Jet to Congress with full assurance of their dis
position TO apply all the remedy which can be
afforded by an amendment Of the law The regu-
htons which were Intended TO guard against abuses
OF . kindred character, in the trade between the
several states, ought also to be rendered more eec
tuai for Their humane object.
To these recommendations. add, for the consid-
sraton Of Congress the expediency of a re-rpodif-
dtional department 10 the Executive branch of the
government.
The first is called for by the accrung business
which necessarily swells the duties Of the Federal
Courts and by the great and widening space,
within which justice is to be dispensed by them.
The time seems to have arrived, which claims for
members Of the Supreme Court a relief from itine-
fary fa;igdes, incompatible, ~ we'll with the age
which portion OF them will always have attained,
a. with the researches and preparations which are
dte to their stations and to the jurdcal
0fltheir country. And considerations equally CO.
gent require more cow enient Organisation Of the
subordinate tribunals. which may be accomplished
without objectionable incfease VI the number or
sxpence of the Judges. s-5..se =
TIE extent and variety OF Executive business.
also accommodating With the progress Of our ceantry
and its growing population, cali for an additional
department, to be charged with duties row over
burdening other departments, ard with such as have
not been annexed to any department.
The course Of experience recommends, as anoth-
erimprovemt mt in the Executive establishment that
the provision for the station Of Attorney General
whose residence at the seat of government official
connections with ii and management Of the public
brsiness before the Judiciary, preclude extensive
participation in professional emouments, be made
more adequate to his services and his relinquish.
ments; apd that, with view to bis reasonable ac-
eommotation, and to proper depository Of his off
cSsi Opinions ana PsoCeeutnks there De lncludcd IN
the provision, the usual appurtenancss to public
Office. -
In directing the legislative attention to the state
Of the finances, it subject of great qualification
20 find, that, even within the short period which
has elapsed since the return Of peace, the revenue
has far exceeded all the current demands upon the
treasury, and that, under any probable dminution
Of its future annual product, which the vicisstues
OF com.heree may occasion, twill afford an ample
fund for the elk cusl and early extinguishment of
the public debt. II has been estimated that during
the year 1876 the actual receipts Of revenue at the
treasury, Including the balance at the commence
ment Of the year, and excluding the proceeds of
loans and treasury notes. will amount TO about the
sum OF forty seven millions of dollars; that during
the year, the actual payment Of arrearages OF
the War Department, 10 well As the payment OF
a considerable excess, beyond the annual appropr
stons, will amount to about the sum OF thirty eight
millions Of dollars and that, consequently, at the
close Of the year. there will be asurpSs in the trea
sury Of about the Of nine millions of dollars.
The operations OF the treasury continue to be OBJ
structed by difficulties, arising from the condition
Of the national currency; but they have, never,he-
less, been efectua, to beneficial extent, in the
reduction of the public debt, and the establishment
of the public credit. The floating debt Of treasury
notes and temporary loans, will soon be entirely
discharged. The aggregate of the funded debt,
composed Of debts incurred du,iny.the of1776,
and of 1872 has been estimated with reference TO