Litchfield enquirer., 1829-12-17

hopes Ot those who devised lt, ana become ln object of admiration to the world. We Ire responsible to our country, and to the glorious cause of self-government, for the pre- 'ervatiOn of so great good.
 The great mass of legislation relating to our l internal affairs, was intended to be lett where | the Federal Convention found it-in the State 1 Nothing is clearer. in my { view, than that we are chiefly indebted for | the success of the Constitution under which | we are now acting, tO the watchful and aux |
 ary operation Of the State authorities. This ! is not the reflection Of day. but belongs tO Ihe most deeply rooted cOnN NictiOns Of my mind. cannot, therefore, too strongly, or tOO earnestly, for my own sense of its impOr- tance, warn you against all encrOachments upon the legitimate sphere of State s"ver- eighty. Sustained by its healthful and in- influence, the Federal system can never fall.
 In the collection Of the revenue, the long credits authorized On goods imported from beyond the Cape of Good Hope. are the chief cause of the losses at present sustained. If these were shortened to six, nine and twelve months, and warehouses provided by Government, sufficient to receive the goods offered in deposite for security and for deben- ture; and if the righ. of the United States to priority of payment out Ofthe estates Ofns insOlvent debtors were more elfectualIy sccu- red this evil would, in great measure. Oe Obviated. An authority to construct such
 houses, is, therefore, with the proposed alter
 atiOn of the credits, recommended to your att
 tentiOn.
 It is worthy ofnOtice, that the laws for the
 collection and security of the revenue arising
 from imposts were chiefly framed when the rate
 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 insufficient for the proper security of the revenue, and the protection of the interests of those who are disposed to observe them. The injurious and demOrslizing tendency of a successful system of smuggling. is 50 obvious as not to require comment, and cannot be too carefully guarded against. therefore suggest to Con- gress the propriety of adopting efficient meas ures to prevent this evil {; avoiding, however, as much as possible, every unnecessary in- fringement of individual liberty, and embar- rassment of fair and lawful business.
 On an examination of the records of the 1 Treasury, have been forcibly struck with the 1 large amount of the public money which ap- pears to be outstanding. Ot the sum thus due from individuals to the Government, a l considerable portion is undoubtedly despe- l
 
 rendered SO by remissness in the agents char l ged with its collection. By proper exertiODs, | great part, however. may yet be recovered and whatever may be the portions respective 1 ly belonging to these two classes. it behOves the Government to ascertain the real state of the fact. This can be done only by the prompt adoption of ludiciOus measures for the cOllec- ton Of such as may be made available. It is believed that a very large amount has been lost through the inadequacy of the means pro- vided for the collection of debts due to the public, and that this inadequacy lies chiefly in the want of legal skill: habitually and con
 engaged in the service. It must, think, be admitted, that the supervisory power over suits brought by the public, which is now yes ted in an GccOWnting officer of the Treasury, not selected with a view to his legal know 1 ledge, and encumbered as he is with hume rOus other duties, operates unfavOrably to the l public interest.
 It is important that this branch of the pub ie service should be subjected to the supervi- sion of such professional skill as will give it efficiency. The expense attendant upon such , ! modification of the Executive Department would be justified by the sOundest principles { 'f economy. would recommend. therefore. ] hat the duties now assigned to the Agent of he Treasury. so far as they relate to the su- and management of legal pro- ceedings, on the part Of the United States, be transferred to the Attorney General, and that this office be placed on the same footing, in all respects, as the heads of the other De. misunderstanding like compensation, and having such subordinate officers provided for his department as may be requisite for the of these additional duties. The professional skill of the Attorney General. em- ployed in directing the conduct of Marshals and District Attorneys, would hasten the eel. lection of debts now in suit, and, thereafter, save much to the Government It might be further extended to the superintendence of all criminal proceedings for offences against the United States. In making this transfer. great care should be taken, however, that the power necessary to the Treasury Department be not impaired: one of its greatest securi. ties consisting iD control over all accounts. until they are audited OF reported for suit.
 In cODnexion with the foregoing views. [ would suggest also. an inquiry, whether the provisions of the act of Congress, authorizing the discharge of the persons of debtors to the Government, from Imprisonment, may not. consistently with the public interest, 6e ex. tended to the release of the debt, where the conduct Of the debtor is wholly exempt from the imputatiOn Of fraud. Some more liberal policy than that which now prevails, in refer. encR k0 hhta a..aEAp psana aka olas. ..e .t.;- l