Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-12-15

tris has not yet taken place. The de-
lay has been oecssionrsl BY the non
arrival OF the ratification or that Co
vernsnenf within the time prescribed
BY the treaty. Renewed authority has
been asked Tor by the representative
Of Austria; and, in the mean time. the
rapidly increasing trade end navigation
between the twO countries have been
placed upon the most liberaI footiag Of
our navigation acts
Several alleged depredations have
been recently committed on our COM
merce by the national vess~is Of Por-
tugai. They have been made the sub
ject of Immediate remembrance and
reclamation. I am not yet possessed
OF sufficient information to express 4
definite opinion Of their character, bot
expect soon To receive il. No proper
means shall be omitted 10 obtain for
our citizens al the redress to which
they may appear 10 be entitled.
Aimost At the moment of the ad-
tournament Of your last session, Two
bills, the one entitled An act for
making appropriations for building
light houses, light. boats, beacons. and
monuments. placing buoys, and for i'm
proving hat bors and directing surveys,'
and the other, An act 10 authorize a
subscription for stock in the Louisviiie
and Portland Canal Company were
submitted Tor my approval. 1t was
not possible, within the time allowed
me, before the close Of the session. to
give these bills the consider alton which
was due TO their character and impsr-
lance; and I was compelled to retain
them for that purpose. now avail
myself Of this early opportunity to re-
turn them to the Houses in which they
respectively originated, with the rea-
sons which, after mature deliberation,
compel me to withhold my approval.
The practice Of defraying out Of the
Treasury OF the United States the ex-
Penscs incurred by the establishment
and support Of light. houses, beacons,
buoys. and public piers. within the
bays. inlets, harbors, and ports Of the
United States, to render the uayisa-
ton thereof safe and easy. is eoesai
with the adoption Of the Constitution,
and has been continued without inter
ruption or dispute.
As our foreign commerce increased,
and was extended into the interior Of
the country by the establishment of
ports Of entry and delivery upon our
Havigsble rivers, the sphere Of. those
expenditures received . corresponding
enlargement. Light houses, beaeons.
buOys, public piers, aud the removal
Of sand bars, sa~yers, and other par
tial or Temporary impediments in the
navigable rivers and harbors which
were embraced in the revenue districts
from time 20 time established by law,
were authorized upon the same prinei-
pie. and the expense derayed in the
same manner. That these expenses
have at times been extravagan' and
disproportionatc, is very probable.
The circumstances under wbich they
are incurred, are well calculated TO
lead TO such a result. unless their APP.
piication is subjected Ca The closest
scrutiny. The local advantages arts
ing from the disbursement Of public
money too frequently, IL ~ TO be fear
this character that are neither ncers-
sary nor useful. The number OF light
house keepers is already very large,
and the bill before me proposes 10 add
TO IL Fifty one more, Of various descrip-
tions. From representations upon the
subject which are understood to be en-
titled to respect. ] am induced to be-
lieve that there has notonty been great
improvidence in the psst expenditures
OF the Government upon these objects,
but that the security Of nayigsiicn has,
IN some instances, been diminished by
the multiplication Of fight houses, and
consequent change Of lights. upon the
coast. IL 10 ia this, IS in ether res.
poets, our duty 20 avoid all nnnecessa-
~ expense. "a we'll as every Increase
OF patronage not called for by the pub
tic service. But. ia the discharge OF
that duty in this particular. IL must not
be forgotten that, IN relation 10 eur 60
reign commerce. the burden and bene
fit Of protecting and accommodating Il
aecessarily 70 together. and must do
do 20 - long ~ the public revenue is
drawn from the people through the
custom house. Tits indisputable, that
vhassver gives facility and security Co
navigation, cbeapens imports; end Ell
who Consume them are alike intersat
ed N whatever produces THE eject. III
they consume, they ought. as they now
do, Go pay; otherwise, they do not pay
The consumer Ia che moas inland State
derives the same advantage from every
necessary snd psudent expenditure
for the facility and seeafity Of our 10 /.
reiga commerce and navigation, that