Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-12-13

spect II Is not unreasonable hope that various topics
OF national concern at present engaging the attention
the people, may facilitate rather embarrass the task
Inc interests oil agriculture, and
ana ne mar disposition oi the public lands, the promi
nent and necessary, and immediate objects epubc policy
AS incident however, and indeed cessary the securt
and prosperity oil these great interests the
SOUND currency cannot escape attention On the sound
ness and scadiness Of this Indispensable medium of ex
change depend the value stability of every descrp
lion OF property not less than the activity of every branch
OF business and is not to be doubted the CONNER
cial and manufacturing industry would bc most severely
and immediately Affected by any arrangement of this spring
OF their prosperity.
! The measures of the General Government in respect
TO the tarii to objects oil public improvement To the pub
nc ans, ana TO hc Bank OF the United States the
sources oil the existing solcitude throughout the country
For the permanent adjustment of all in manner to pro-
mote ue harmony oil all parts of the Unon and elevate
the moral character OF the country, the wisdom and pat,i
looked TO. ~ "
Independently of the considerations connected with the
currency INC interests both OF the Government and ind-
vidua involved in the Bank the United States make the
stability oil that institution object of great Importance
no reason Is perceived why this great interest should not
be equally considered in the scheme of cercncc and con-
cesson and compromise which the public safety not Iess
than the national prosperity, so urgently recommends
"he conflicting interests and opinions other subjects
are in'itcdto meet middle ground and on the altar of
the common good each 10 offer something for the prcscr-
vaon oil concord and union thro this favored land
he advocates aud opposers OF the existing system for rer,
ang the currency may also be expected join in the
same patriotic sacrifice.
IL is not perceived that other satisfactory bsiS Gr
scheme OF general adjustment be devised than that
which shall pay just regard 10 the interests ALL and
observe proper Difference TO the public will On this
ground mainly portion of the agricultural Interest,",
have been invited to accommodate opinions conscientious
ly formed and ardcntly advocated to opposite opnion.
more successfully maintained by other and more poworf
interests The invitation could be more
recommended than by aiortng example other cases
rounded upon the same principle. Acuiesccncc in the
public wish not less the duty than of the
people themselves The utmost respect felt for an in
dependent exercise of contentious opinions but i'm
country like though of duty authorize, all
lair attempts TO convince the public mind equally die
expressed.
In presenting TO the OF Congress the means of ,he
Government, the bonds due for duties which are now in
sur, nave been reserved for this place The amount or
bonds remaining in suit since the of the
government, be estimated on the 3Oh of Sep,embcr
last, at OF this sum- il believed that moi
more tan one million of dollars could under any crcum-
stances, he recovered. The debtors however remain
legally liable for the whole amount without the hope
hcplcssncss r' "'''
The act passed the last session of Congress for the re-
e oil certain insolvent debtors, according to the consrc
uo winch has been given TO it, has afforded but little re-
hc TO those for whom il probably intended IL
VIII oo the duty of the undersigned in subsequent re-
port IN conformity with that law, TO lay before Congress
me principles and manner of its execution. IL NAV not
DC out oil place. in the time, when presenting gene
raj view OF the financial means of the Government n
commend that no reliance should he placed on these debts
Inc punctuaity of the American merchant in the paw
ch' oil uuues IN every period OF our history, and under
e most severe vcissudcs, is deserving of the greatest
adnraon; oil the whole amount Of Custom house bonds
ang due In the first three quarters of the present wear
T'o'ooo 20 nave Dccn unpaid. Or seven hundred and
egh'y millions OF dollars secured for duties from tho
commencement of the government the Both of Septcm-
Der last the whole loss be estimated be less than
SIX millions OF dollars These dclinqucnces are believed
III most not IN all instances, TO have been the result of
na'oidaDc misfortune, involving in the ruin of the prn-
c,Pie me sureucs required by the laws of the United
states In most cases. the United States by means of the
eNsunS priority acts have obtained benefit of what
property The debtors possessed the time their
Sweeney inmany instances their general creditors have
released or would be willing release them if the claim
VI VIC government did not render such of Hbcray
uioVahpS By this means, large number of our fellow
oil lar characters and intelligence, and qualified
ny eir cNertions TO promote the prosperity of the country
are parayZed In their industry and the means Of
proVdnS Tor their families and contributing to the general
STOCK labor unexpectedly submitted wisdom and
Congress the o
the national debt and relieving the of the communal
al Sc--and where the greatest likely TO be re-
covered not required for the public exigencess not
also Pop0s Tor giving absolute relief those entcpris
ing mem VINO, In times OF difficulty and need contributed
10 enrich The public treasury The period of the total
nhSuishment OF the national debt will be period of ma
ohM rejoicing, and might be properly ssnazcd ly such
" c vi grace 10 tllS unfortunate class of
should Congress, however, desire TO compel the nav.
menu OF any portion OF those debts discriminate among
INC OBJECTS OF its clenency il is believed that law n
See scope than the present, authorizing am inquiry in
10 e Facts and discharge of the debtor where there no
Had WIN or without payment of any particular Amount
and returning 10 each debtor reasonable per cenagc
sum paid IS recommended as cxpcdient nccca arv
Inc Secretary of the Treasury also transmits R,nof
from The Commissioners of the General Land Office show
ing the state Of the affairs of that branch of tho Dona
mcnt. - ~ 'DNf"''.
All "hch is respectfully submitted.
LOUIS MLANE,
Secretary Of the TREASURY
TREASURY DEPARTMENTS,
December 7th, 1881