Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1831-12-16

embarrassed 10y their internal regulations
Now subject 10 no control but the superin-
tending agency of the General Government.
exercised with the sole view of preserving
peace, they may proceed unmolested in the
interesting experiment OF gradually advanc-
ing community of American Indians from
barbarism TO the habits and enioyments of
civilized life.
Among the happiest effects of the improv-
ed relations OF our republic, has been an in
crease OF trade, producing corresponding
increase oil revenue, beyond the most san
guine anticipations of the Treasury DEPART
ment.
The state of the public finances will be
fully shown by the Secretary of the Treasu-
~, in the report which he will presently Law
before you. will here however conpratu-
late you upon their prosperous condition.
Il he revenue received in the present wear
Will not tall short of twenty seven millions.
seven hundred thousand dollars; andIthe ex-
pen,iitures for all objects, other than the pub
lie debt, will not exceed fourteen millions.
seven hundred thousand. The payment or,
account OF the principal and interest Of the
debt during the year, will exceed sixteen
millions and half of dollars; greater sum
than has been applied to that object, out of
Inc revenue, IN any year since the enlarge
ment OF the sinking fund, except the two
years following immediately thereafter
The amount which will have been applied
to the public debt, from the 4th of March,
1929. TO the first of January next, which is
less than three years, since the administra-
ton has been placed in my hands, will ex-
coed forty millions of dollars
From the large importations of the pre-
sent year, 1t may be safely estimated that the
revenue which will be received into the
Treasury from that source during the next
year, with the aid of that received from the
public lands, will considerably exceed the
amount OF the receipts of the present year :;
and 1t is believed that with the means which
The Government will have at its disposal,
from various sources, which will be fully
stated by the proper Department, the whole
OF the public debt may be eXtinguished, Ell
Their by redemption or purchase, within the
four years of my administration. We shall
then exhibit the rare example ola great ma
ton, Astounding in all the means of happi-
ness and security, altogether free from debt.
Thee confidence with which the eXtinruish-
ment of the public debt may be anticipated,
presents an opportunity Of carrying into eff
tect more fully the policy in relation to i'm
port duties, which has been recommended
IN my former messages. A modification of
the Tariff, which shall produce reduction
OF our revenue to the wants of the Govern
ment, and an adjustment ofthe duties on i'm
ports with view to equal Justice in relation
10 all our national interests and to the contin-
uation Of foreign policy, so far as it may be
injurious TO those interests. is deemed 10 be
one OF the principal objects which demand
the consideration of the present Congress-
Justice 10 the interests of the merchant. as
well as the manufacturer, requires that ma
ferial reductions in the import duties be
prospective: and unless the present Congress
shall dispose ofthe subject, the proposed re-
auctions cannot properly be made 10 take eff
feet at the period when the necessity for the
revenue arising from the present rates shall
cease. III is therefore desirable, that arrange
ments be adopted at your present session, TO
relleVc the people from unnecessary taxation
after the eXtinguishment of the public debt
In the exercise of that spirit of concession and
Cancellation which has distinguished thc
friends of our Union in all great emergen-
cies, it is believed that this object may be
effected without injury 10 any national inter
est.
In my annual message of December 1929,
1 had the honor TO recommend the adoption
of more liberal policy than that which then
prevailed towards unfortunate debtors 70 the
Government; and deem it my duty again
10 invite your attention 10 this subject.
Actuated by similar views, Congress at
their last session passed an act for the relief
ofcertain insolvent debtors of the u. States:
but the provisions of that law have not been
deemed such as were adequate TO that relief
TO this unfortunate class of ourfelow citizens
which may be safely extended 10 them. The
points in which the law appears 10 be defec-
tive will be particularly communicated by
the Secretary of the Treasury; and take
pleasure in recommending such an extern
sion of its provisions as will unfetter the en-
terpriZe OF valuable portion of our citizens
and restore to them the means of usefulness
10 themselves and the community. While
celebrating upon this subject, would also
recommend TO your consideration the propri-
ETY. of so modifying the laws for enforcing
the payment of debts due either TO the pub
lie or individuals suing in the courts Of the
U. States, as TO restrict The imprisonment
of the person to cases of fraudulent conceal
ment of property. The personal liberty of
the citizen seems too sacred TO be held, as in
many cases it now is, at the will of credit
or to whom he is willing tosurrender all the
means he has of discharging his debt.
The reports from the Secretaries Of the
War and the Navy Departments, and from
the Postmaster General, which accompany
this message, present satisfactory views Of
the operations of the Departments respec-
lively under their charge and suggest i'm
provcments which are worthy OF, and to
which invite the serious attention of Con-
gress. Certain defects and omissions hay
ing been discovered in the operation Of the !
laws respecting Patents, they arc pointed !
out in the accompanying report from the |