Litchfield enquirer., 1831-12-15

the Indian tribes be put to rest. It Is pleasing to reflect, that results so beneficial, not only to the states i'm Mediately concerned, but to the harmony of the Union. will have been ac- cOmplished, by measures equally advantageous to the Indians. What the native savages be- come when surrounded by dense population, and by mixing with the whites, may he seen in the miserable remnants of few eastern tribes, deprived of political and civil rights. forbidden to make contracts, and subjected to guardians, dragging out wretched existence, without excitement, without hope, and almost without thought.
 But the removal of ;he Indians beyond the limits and jurisdiction of the states, does not place them beyond tue reach of philanthrOpic aid and christian instruction. On the contra ry, those whom philanthropy or religion may induce to live among them in their new abode will be more free in the exercise of their be- nevOlent functions. than if they had remained within the limits of the states, embarrassed by their internal regulations. Now, subject to no control but the experimenting agency of the general government, exercised with the sole view of preserving peace, they may pro- ceed unmolested in the interesting experiment Ot gradually advancing community of Ame- rican Indians from barharism to the habits and enjoyments of civilized life.
 Among the happies' effects of the improved relations of our Republic, has been an increase of trade, producing corresponding increase of revenue, beyond the most sang1ine antici- pations of the Treasury Department.
 The state of the public finances will be fully shewn by the Secretary of the Treasury, the report of which he will presently lay before you. will here, however, congratulate you upon their prosperous condition. The reve- nue received in the present year will not fall short of S27,70O.0O0; and the expenditures for all objects. other than the public debt, will not exceed $l4,7OO,0OO. The payment on account of the principal and interest of the debt, during the year, will exceed sixteen mil- lions and half of dollars: greater sum than has been applied to that object, out of the re- venue. in any year since the enlargement of the sinking funk, except the two years follow ing immediately thereafter. The amount which will have been applied to ,he public debt from the 4th of March. 1929, to the first ofJanuary next, which is less than three years since the administration has been placed in my hands, twill exceed forty millions of dollars.
 From the large importations of the present year, 1t may be safely estimated that the re- venue which will be received into the Trea. sury from that source during the next year, with the aid of that received from the nublc
 
 the receipts of the present year; and fl is be- lieved that with the means which the govern ment will have at its disposal. from various sources, which will be fully stated by the pro per Department. the whole of the public debt may be extnguished, either by redemption or purchase, within the four years of my admin Istration. We shall then exhibit the rare ex- ample of great nation, abounding in all the means of happiness and security, altogether free from debt.
 The confidence with which the cxtinguish- ment of the public debt may be anticipated. presents an opportunity for carrying into eE feet more fully the policy in relation to import oufies. which has been recommended in my former messages. A modification of the Tar. II, which shall produce reduction of our revenue to the wants Ofthe Government, and an adjustment of the duties on imports with view t. equal justice in relation to all our 1atlonal interests, and to the counteraction of ore'gn policy, so far as it may be injurious to hose interests, is deemed to be one of the principal objects which demand the consider 'l'on of the present Congress. Justice to the interest of the merchant as well as the mann. acturer. requires that material reductions in he import duties be prospective: and unless ne present Congress shall dispose of the sub ect, the proposed reductions cannot properly De made to take effect at the period when the 1 necessity for the revenue arising from pre- ent rates shall cease. It is therefore desira- ''e' that arrangements be adopted at your present Session. to relieve the people from taxation, after the extingush- nent of the public debt. In the exercise of nat spirit 0f concession and conciliation which has distinguished the friends of our Un- on ln all great emergencies, it is believed that hls object may be effected without injury to my national interest.
 In my annual message of December, 1899, had the honor to recommend the adoption 'f more liberal policy than that which then 're"aled towards unfortunate debtors to the l government; and deem it my duty again to nvite your attention to this subject.
 Actuated by similar views. Congress at heir last session passed an act for the relief of certain insolvent debtors of the U United States hut the provisions of that law have not been aecmsd such as were adequate to that relief 10 thls unfortunate class of our fellow citizens, which may he safely extended tO them. The points in which the law appears to be defect i've will be particularly communicated by the Secretary ofthe Treasury; and take pleas ure m recommending such an extension of its provisions as will unfetter the enterprise of valuable portion of our citizens. and restore to them the means of usefulness to themselves ana the community. While deliberaiing up- on this subject, l would also recommend to your consideration the proprie ty of so modi. iying the laws for enforcing the payment of