Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1831-12-15

u
deemed such as were adequate to tina,
relief To this unfortunate class Of our
fellow citizens, which may be safely
extended 10 them. The points in which
the law Appeals 20 be defective. will
be particularly communicated by the
Secretary Of the Treasury: and { take
pleasure in recommending such an ex.
tension OF its provisions rs will unfet-
ter the enterprise Of n valuable portion
ut our citizens, and restore to them
the means Of usefulness to themselves
and the community. While deliber.
sting upon this subject. would also
recommend to your consideration the
propriety Of so modifying the laws Tor
enforcing the payment Ut debts, due
either to the public or tn individuals
suing IN the courts Of the United States.
rs to restrict the imprisonment Of the
person to cases Of fraudulent conceal
ment Of property. The personal libcr-
~ Of the citizen seems too sacred to
be held. as in many cases il now is, at
the will Of . creditor to whom he l.
willing to surrender all the means he
has OF dischargin. his debt.
The reports from the Secretaries Of
War and Navy Departments, and from
the Postmaster General, which accom-
pany this message, present satisfactory
views of the operations of the Depart
ments respectively under their charge;
and suggest improvements which are
worthy of, and TO which invite the
serious attention Of Congress. Ger
tain defects and omissions having been
discovered in the operation of the laws
respecting Patents, they are pointed
out in the accompanying report from
the Secretary of State.
have heretofore recommended a
mendments Of the Federal Constitu-
tion, giving the election of President
and Vice President To the People, and
limiting the service Of the former TO a
single term. So important do con
slider these changes in our fundamental
law, that cannot, in accordance with
my sense Of duty, omit To press them
upon the onsilcration of a new Con
gress. For my views more at large,
as well in relation TO these points a. to
the disqualification Of members Of
Congress To receive 40 Office from n
Presiden: III whose election they have
had an official agency,which proposed
as substitute, refer you TO my former
messages.
Our system oi public accounts is
extremely complicated, and il i be
lieved, may be much improved. Much
of the expenditure of public money
may be dispensed with, while greater
facilities can be afforded TO the liqui-
datiOn of claims upon the Government,
and an examination into their justice
and legality. quite as efficient "a the
present, secured. With a view to a
general reform in the system, I recon-
mend the subject to the attention of
Congress.
l deem it my duty again to call
your attention 10 the condition Of the
District Of Columbia. 1t was doubt
less wise in the trainers Of our Con.
stitution,topl place the people Of this Dis
trict under the jurisdiction ofthe Gene
raj Governments; but to accomplish the
objects they had in view,i is not ncces.
sary that this people should be deprive ed
of all the privileges Of self government.
Independently of the difficulty Of in
duclEg the Representatives of distant
States to turn their attention to projec Is
OF laws, which arc not Of the highest
interest TO their constituents, they are
not individually, nor in Congress col
lcctiVely, we'll qualified to lcgisiate
over the lucal concerns Of this District.
Consequently. its interests are much
neglected, and the people are almost
afraid 10 present their grievances, lest
a body, IN which they are no, repre-.
serted, and which feels little sympa
thy 10 their local relations. should, ia
ITS attempt 10 make laws for them, do
more harm than good. Governed by
the laws Of the States whence they
were severed, the two shores Of the
Potomac within the ten miles square.
have different penal codes not the
present codes Of Virginia and Mary
land, but such as existed in those
states, NJ the time Of the cesSion to
the United States. As Congress will
not form new code, and as the geo.
pie 81 the District cannot make one
Tor themselves, they are virtually un-
der two governments. Is II not lust
TO allow them at least a delegate in
Congress, II not local Legislature.
to make laws Tor the District, subject
to the approval ar rejection Of Con
gress' | earnestly recommend the ex-
tension 10 them OF every political right
which their interests require. and
which may be compatible with the
Constitution.
The extension Of the Judiciary sys.
ten Of The United States is deemed to
be one OF the duties Of Government.-
One fourth Ol the States in the Union
do not participate in the b,ucfts of n