The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1822-12-10

the United states TO suppress il, have had very
salutary effect The benevolent provision OF the
act, under which protection has been extend.
cd alike to the commerce of other nations, can
not fail 10 be duly appreciated by them.
In compliance with the Act of the last session
entitled " An act to abolish the United States
Trading Establishments, agents were imnedi-
ately appointed and instructed under the direc-
ton OF the secretary Of the Treasury, to close
the business of the trading-bouscs among the
Indian tribes, and to settle The accounts OF the
Factors and SEb-factors engaged in that trade,
and 10 execute, in all other respects tie inJunC-
tons Of that act, in the mode prescnbel therein.
final report of their proceedings shall De com
municated to Congress as soon as it is received.
1t is with great regret have to state that Sc
rious malady has deprived Us of many valuable
citizens at Pensacola, and checked the progress
of some of those arrangements which arc impor-
tant to the territory. This effect has been sensi-
bly, felt III respect 10 the Indians who inhabit that
territory, consisting Of the remnants Of several
tribes who occupy the middle ground between St.
Augustine and Pensacola, with extensive claims,
but underlined boundaries. Although peace is
preserved with those Indians, vet their position
and claims tend essentially TO interrupt the inter-
course between the eastern and western parts OF
the territory, on which our inhabitants are prnei-
pally settled. lt IS essential to the growth and
prosperity of the territory as well as to tho inter
course OF the Union, that these Indians should be
removed, by special compact with them, 10 some
other position, or concentrated within narrower
limits where they are. With the limited means
in the power of the Executive, Instructions were
given to the Governor to accomplish this object,
so far as it might be practicable, which was pre-
vented BY the distressing malady referred to- To
carryit fully into ef6ct in either mode, additional
funds will ne necessary, to the provision OF which
the powers Of Congress alone are competent.
With view 70 such provision as may be deemed
proper, the subject submitted 70 your consider
aticn, and in the interim, further proceedings
are suspended.
1t appearing that so much of the act, entitled
" An act regulating the staff of the army" which
passed on the l4th Of April, 1918, as relates to
the cOmmissaIiat, will xpire in April next s. the
practical operation Of that department having
evinced its great utility, the propriety of its
newal is submitted to your consideration.
The view which has been taken Of the proba-
bic productiveness of the lead mines, connected
with the Importance Of the material to the public
defence, makes it expedient that they should be
managed with peculiar care. Ii is therefore sug-
gested whether it viii not comport with the pub
of an agent skilled in mineralogy, to superintend
them, under the direction of the proper depart
ment.
Ii is understood that the Cumberland road,
which was constructed at a great expense, has
already suffered from the want Of that regular
superintendent, and Of those repairs, which are
Indispensable 10 the preservation ofsucb a work.
This road is ofincalcuable advantage, in faci-
tatng the intercourse between the western and
the Atlantic states. Through it, the whole
country from the northern extremity of Lake
Erie to the Mississippi, and from all the waters
which empty into each, finds an easy and direct
! communication to the seat Of government and
thence to the Atlantic. The facility which il af-
/ t0rds TO all military and commercial operations,
and also to those Of the post Office department,
cannot be estimated TOO highly. This great
work IS likewise an ornament and an honour
TO the nation. Believing that a competant
power to adopt and execute system OF internal
improvement has not been granted TO congress,
but that such power, confined to great nation
al purposes, and with proper limitations, would
be productive Of eminent advantage TO our un-
ion, have thought it advisable that an amend
ment of the constitution, TO that effect, should
be recommended to the several states A bill
which assumed the right TO adopt and execute
such system having been presented for my
signature, at the last session, | was compelled,
from the view which had taken of the powers
Of the general government, to negative IT, on
which occasion thought it proper to communi-
cate the sentiments which | had formed on
mature consideration, on the whole subject.
To that communication, in all the views in
which the great interest to which il relates,
may be supposed TO merit your attention, |
have now 10 refer. Should congress, however.
deem it improper to recommend such an amend
ment, they have, according to my Judgment the
right to keep the road in repair, by providing for
the superintendent oft and appropriating the
money necessary for repairs. Surely, if they had
the right to appropriate money to make the road,
they have right TO appropriate it to preserve
the road from ruin. From the exercise of this
power no danger j. to be apprehended. Under
our happy system, the people are the sole and
exclusive fountain ofpower. Each government
originates from them, and to them alone, each to
its proper constituents, are they respectively and
solely responsible, for the faithful discharge of
their duties, within their constitutional limits
And that the people wal confne their public
agents, every station, to the strict line oftheir
constitutional duties, there is no cause TO doubt.
Having, however, communicated my sentiments
to congress, at the last session. fully in the doc
ument TO which have referred, respecting the
right OF appropriation, as distinct frem the right
OF jurisdiction and sovereignty over the terrific
ny N question, deem it improper to enlarge on
the subject here.
From the best information that | have been
able to obtain, it appears that our manufactures
though depressed Immediately after the Peace,
have considerably increased, and are still in
creaslng under the encouragement given them
by the tariff Of 1916, and by subsequent laws.