Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-12-24

unfortunate debtors to the Government; and deem il my duty again to invite your attention to this sub ! ject.
 Actuated by similar views at their last ses- son passed act for the relief of certain nsolyent debtors of the United States; but the provisions of I that law have not been deemed such us were ade- qnae to that relief to this unfortunate class of ' fellow-citizens, which may be safely extended tG them. The points In which the law appears to be de ectlve will be particularly communicated by the Sc cretary of the Treasury; and take pleasure in re commenting such an extension of its provisions as will unieer the enterprise of valuable portion o our citizens, and restore to them the means of useful ness to themselves and the community. While de llberatng upon this subject would also recommend to Your consideration the propriety of modifying the laws for enforcing the payment of debts due e ther to the public to individuals suing in the courts of the United States, 10 restrict the imprisonment of the person to of fraudulent concealment o property The personal liberty of the citizen seems too sacred to be held, in many it is, al the will of a creditor to whom he is willing to sur render all the means he has of dscharging his debt
 The reports from the Secretaries of the War and Navy Departments and from the Post Master Ge- neral which accompany this message, present satis- factory views of the operations of the Departments respectively under their charge; and suggest ini- provements which worthy of and to which invite the serious attention of Congress. Certain defects and omissions having been discovered in the
 
 pointed out in the accompanying report from the | Secretary of State.
 have heretofore recommended amendments to the Federal Constitution giving the election of Pre- sdent and Vice-President to the people, and limit ing the service of the former to single term. So important do consider these changes in funda- mental law, that l cannot in accordance with my of duty, omit to press them upon the consde- ration of new Congress. For my views more at large well in relation to these points as to the dis qualification of members of Congress to receive an Eolice from President in whose election they have Sad an official agency which proposed as substl- | lte, refer you to my former messages.
 Our system ofpublic accounts is extremely com picated and, tis believed, may be much improved. Ahch of the present machinery, and considerable expenditure of public money may be dispensed with, wte greater facilities can be afforded to the lquida- tiol of claims upon the Government, and an exa- imitation into their justice and legality, quite as eff fcent as the present, secured. With view to a general reform in the system, recommend the sub- ed to the attention of Congress,
 | Ideem it my duty again to call your attention ts the condition of the District of Columbia. It was doubtless wise in the framers of our constitution to place the people othis District under the jurisdiction | of the General Government; but to accomplish the object they had in view, 1t IS not necessary that this people should be deprived of all the privileges of self government Independently of the difficulty of inducing the Representatives of distant States to turn their attention to projects of laws which are not of the highest interest to their constituents they are not Individuality nor in Congress collectively, well qualified to egisate over the local concerns of this | District Consequently, its interests much neg leced and the people are almost afraid to present their grievances, lest body, ia which they are not represented. and which feels little sympathy in their local relations, should, in its attempt to make laws for them, do more harm than good. Governed by the laws of the States whence they were severed l IL T1-@,. tI.. square, have different penal codes: not the present codes of Virginia and Maryland but such existed in those States at the time of the cession to the U nited States. As Congress will not form code and us inc people off the District cannot make for themselves they are virtually under two Govern ments. Is it not jus. to allow them at least dele gate in Congress- if not local Legislature to make laws for the District subject to the approval or jecon of Congress? 1 earnestly recommend the extension to them of every political right which their interests require, and which may be compatible with the constitution.
 1 The extension of the Judiciary system of the Uni ted States s deemed to be one of the duties of Gov ernment One fourth of the States in the Union do not participate in the benefits of q Circuit Court. To the States ofIndlana, Illinois, Missouri Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, admitted into the Union since the present Judicial system was organized, only District Court has been allowed. If this be sufficient then the Circuit Courts, already existing in eighteen States ought to be aboished if it be not sufficient the defect ought to be remedied and these States placed on the same footing with the other members of the Union. It was on this condition and on this footing, that they entered the Union; and they may demand Circuit Courts matter, not of concession, but of right. l trust that Congress will not adjourn leaving this ana,noly in systen. Entertaining the opinions heretofore expressed in relation to the Bank of the United States, at pre- sent organized, felt it my duty, in my former mes sages frankly to disclose them, in order that the at tention of the legislature and the people should be seasonably directed to that important subject and that might be considered and finally disposed ofin
 manner best calculated to promote the ends of the Constitution andsubserveth the public interest Hav- ing thus concentiously discharged a constitutional duty, deem it proper, on this occasion without a more particular reference to the views Of the subject then expressed leave it for the present to the in- vesiigation Of an enlightened people and their representatives
 | In conclusion, permit me to invoke that Power which superhtends all Governments, to infuse into your deliberations, at this important crisis of our hs- tory q spirit Ofmutual forbearance and conciation. | In that spirit was our Union formed and in that spirit must it be preserved
 ANDREW JACKSON.
 Washington, Dec. 6, 1881.
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 Doctor Cooher.-The Legislature of South | Carolina have been discussing resolution re-