Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-12-15

ciple were honestly adhered to, the branches
Of industry which deserve protection would
be saved from the prejudice excited ugains,
them, when that protection forms part OF a
system by which portions Of the country feel.
or conceive themselves to be oppressed.
What is incidentally more important, the vi
tai principle of our SYSTEM that principle
which requires acquiescence in the will Oft
majority would be secure from the dscrcd
it and danger to which it is exposed by the
nets of ma jorilics, founded not on identity of
conviction, but ON combinations of small mi
nor,ics, entered into for the purpose Of mu.
tual assistance in measures which, resting
solely on their own merits, could never be
carried.
am well aware that this is a subject of
so much delicacy, on account OF the extend
ed interests it involves, as to require that il
should be touched with the utmost cautions;
and that, while an abandonment Of the policy
in which it originated--a policy coeval with
our Government; pursued through successive
administrations is neither 10 be expected or
desired, the people have right to demand,
and have demanded, that it be so modified as
to correct abuses and obviate injustice.
That our deliberations on this interesting
subject should be uniniluenced by those par.
tisan conflicts that are incident 10 free insti-
tutions, Is the fervent wish Of my heart. To
make this great question, which unhappily so
much divides and excitcs the public mind,
subscrvient 10 the short sighted views OF fact
ion, must destroy all hope Of settling it salts
factorily to the great body of the people, and
for the general interest. cannot therefore,
on taking leave Of the subject, too earnestly
for my own feelings or the common good,
warn you against the blighting consequences
of such course.
According TO the estimates of the Treasu.
ry Department, the receipts in the treasury
during the present year will amount to TWEEN.
ty. four millions one hundred and sixty one
thousand and eighteen dollars, which will
exceed by abou, three hundred thousand dol
lars the estimate presented in the last annu-
al report of the Secretary Of the Treasury.
The total expenditure during the year, ex.
elusive of public debt, is estimated at thirteen
millions seven hundred and forty two thou
sand three hundred and eleven dollars; and
the payment on account of public debt for the
same period will have been eleven millions
three hundred and fifty four thousand six
hundred and thirty dollars; leaving bal
ance in the treasury. on the first of January,
eighteen hundred and thirty one offour mil
lions eigh, hundred and nineteen thousand
seven hundred and eighty one dollars.
In connexion with the condition of our Fl.
nances, it affords me pleasure to remark that
judicious and efficient arrangements have
been made by the Treasury Department, for
securing the pecunary responsibility of the
public officers, and The more punctuai pay
ment Of public dues. The revenue cutter
service has been organized, and placed on
good footing, and aided by an increase ofin-
spectorsa at exposed points;and tho regulations
adopted under the act of May, 1880, for the
inspection and apprasement merchandise,
have produced much improvement in the ex
ecution of the laws, and more security against
the commission Of frauds upon the revenue.
Abuses in the allowances for fishing boun-
ties have also been corrected, and n matcri-
al saving in that branch Of the service there
byeflccted. Inadditon TO these improvements,
the system Of expenditure for sick seamen
belonging to the merchants service has been
revised; and. by being render ed uniform and
economical, the benefits Of the fund appllca-
bic to the object have been useiully extend.
ed.
The prosperity of our country, is also fur.
thcr cvinced by the increased revenue ars.
ing from the sale Of public lands, as will ap
pear from the report of the Commissioner Of
the General Land Office, and the documents,
accompanying it, which are herewith trans
mitted. beg leave to draw your attention
to this report, and to the proprlety ofmaking
early appropriations for the objects which 1t
specifies.
Your attention is again invited to the sub
jccts connected with that portion Of the pub
lie interests entrusted to the War Depart
mcnt. Some ofthem were referred to in my
former message; and they are presented in
detail in the report of the Secretary Of War,
herewith submitted. refer you also, to the
report of that officer for knowledge Of the
state ofthe Army, Notifications, and arsenals,
and Indian affairs; all of which, it will be per-
ceived, have been guarded with Jealous at.
tention and care. 1t is worthy Of your con.
sderatlon whether the armanents necessary
for the Notifications on our maritime frontier,
which are now, or shortly will be, completed,
should not be in readiness sooner than the
customary appropriations will enable tho De-
purtment to provide them. This precauton
seems to be due to the general system of for
tiication which has been sanctioned by Con
gress, and is recommended by that maxim
of wisdom which tells US in peace, to prepare
for war.
Irefer you to the report ofthe secretary of
the Navy for highly satisfactory account Of
the manner in which the concerns Of that De-
partment have been conducted during the
present year. Our position in relation to all
The most powerful nations Of the earth. and
the present condition of Europe, admonish us
to cherish this arm of our national defence
with peculiar care. Separated by wide seas
from all these Governments whose power we
might have reason to dread, we have nothing
to apprehend from attempts at conquest 1t
is chiefly attacks upon our commerce, and
harrassing inroods upon our coust, against
which we have to guard. A respectable ma