Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1829-12-17


doubt. and wacre ia eseTci@, IS deemed in
dispenssbic b the general welfare, as among
The most sacred OF all oar Obj cations. Upon
usis cdnntrg, more thar any other, has, in
The providence of God. been cast the special
guardianship OF the great principle of adher-
eDce IL writtea constitutions. Ii il fail here,
all hope IN regard to it VIII be eNtinguished
That this was intended 10 he a Government
OF limited and specific, and not general pow
ers, must be admitted by all; aud il is our
duty to preserve for il the character intended
by its trainers. If experience points cut the
necessity far an enlargement Of these powers,
let us apply Cor it TO those for whose benefit
iris to be exi cised; and not undermine the
whole system by resort to overstrained con-
structions. The scheme has worked web. 1t
las exceeded the hopes Of those who devisd
it. and become an object of admiration TO
the world. We are responsible Ia our coun-
try. and 10 the glorious cause Of self govern
Taent, for the preservation Of 50 great good.
The great mass of legislation relating to our
internal affairs, was intended to- be left where
the Federal Convention found tin the State
Governments. Nothia5 IS clearer, in my
view, thar tiat we are chiefly indebted for
She ssecess Of the Constitution under which
we are now acting, to the ~atchiui and auxl-
larry operation N the State authorities. This
il not The reflection of day, l3t belongs 30
tbc most esply rooted convictions oil my
mind. I; ca.icot. therefore, too strongly or
zoo earnestly, for my own sense OF its lnpor-
lance. warn YOU against all encroachDents
upon tbe legitN1te sphere of state sovereign
'ty. Sustained by its heathiul and inylgora-
ting influence, the Federal system can never
sell
In the collection Of the revenue, the long
credits authorized on goods imported from
beyond the Cape of Good Hope, are the chef
causes of the losses at preseut sustained. If
these were shortened TO six, n.ne, and twelve
months, aud warehouses provided by Co
vernmcnt, sufficient to receive the goods Ell
tercd in deposit for security and for deben-
ture: and ifthe right of the United States to
q priority of payment out of the estates Of
its insolvent debtors were more effectualiy
secured, this evil would, in great measure,
be obviated. An authority 10 construct sucl;
houses is, therefore, with the proposed al
teration of the credits, recommended TO your
attention.
1t is worthy of notice that the laws for the
collection and security OF the revenue arising
from imposts, were chiefly framed when the
rates Of duties on imported goods presented
much less temptation for Illicit trade, than at
present exists. There is reason to believe
that these laws are in some respects quite in
sufficient for the proper security OF the rcTen-
ue, and the protection Of the interests Of those
who are disposed to observe them. The in
curious and de,noralizing tendency of sue
-cesslpl system Of smuggling; is SO obvious as
not to require comment, and cannot be toe
carefully guarded against |, therefore, sug-
gast to Congress the propriety of adopting el-
fieient measures to prevent tins cvii; avoidin g,
however, as much as possible, every unne-
cessary Infringement ofindividual liberty, and
embarrassment OF far and lawful business.
On an examination OF the records Of the
Treasury, | have been iorcibly struck with
Che large amount ofpublic money which APP
pears to be outstanding. OF the sum thus due
from individuals to the Government. a con
siderable portion is undoubtedly desperate:
and in many instances, has probably been
rendered so by remissness in the agents char
ged with its collection BY proper exertions
= great part, however, may yet be recovered
and, whatever may be the portions respect
lively belonging to these two classes, it be
hoves the Government to ascertain the rea
state OF the fact This can be done only by
the prompt adoption of udieous measure.
for the collection OF such as may be made a.
valuable, II is believed that very large a
mount has been lost through the inadequacy
of the means provided for the collection O
debts due to the public, and that this made
quacy hes chiefly in the want of legal skin
habtually and constantly employed in the di
rection Of the agents engagedm the service
1t must, think, be admitted that the SUI
pervisory power over suits brought by the
public, which is now vested in an Gcco,raina
officer OF the Treasury, not selected
with view TO his legal knowledge, ard en-
numbered as he is with numerous other du.
ties, operates unfavorabiy to the public inter
est.
Ii is important that this branch Of the pub
lie service should be subjected to the super
vision of such professional skill as viii give
IT efficiency. The expense attendant upor
such notification of the Executive Depart
fnent would be justified by the soundest prn
ciples Of economy would recommend, there
fore, that the duties now assigned to the A
gent of the Treasury, so far as they relate tc
the superintendent and management of le
gal proceedings, on the part of the u. States
he transferred to the Attorney General, anC
that this officer be placed on the same foot
sng, m all respects, as the Heads of the 9th
er Departments-recoiving Ike compensation
and having such subordinate officers provided
for his Department as may be requisite fol
the discharge of these additional duties. TIL,
professional skin of the Attorney General
employed in directing the conduct ef Mar
shails and District Attorneys, would haster
the collection of debts now IN suit, and here
after, save much to the Government 1t Nigh
be further extended to the superintendent o
all criminal proceedings for offences aSains
1te | 'nItnH States In die traroEar