Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-01-01

been made to understand the real character ofthe wishes and views of fthis in regard to that country. The consequence is, the establish- ment ot friendship and mutual confidence Such are the assurances which I have re- ceived, and l see no cause to doubt their sin cerity.
 had reason to expect the conclusion of a commercial treaty with Mexico in season for communication on the present occasion. Cir cumstances which are not explained, but which, am persuaded, are not the result of an indispositon on her part to enter into it, have produced the delay.
 There was reason to fear, in the course o f the last sumner that the harmony of our re- lations might be disturbed by the acts of cer- tain claimants under Mexican grants of terri tory which has hitherto been under our iurs- diction.. Iae cooperation of the represen- tatiye ot Nfxico near this Government was asked ohthe cecascn, and was readily afford cd. Instructions and advice have been given to the Governor Of Arkansas and the officers in command in the adjoining Mexican State, by which it is hoped, the quiet of that from tier will be preserved, until final settlement of the dividing line shall have removed all ground of controversy.
 The eXchange of ratiFcations of the treaty concluded last year with Austria has not yet taken place. The delay has been accustomed by the non arrival of the ratification of that Government within the tiHe prescribed by the treaty. Renewed authority has been ask ed-tor by the representative of Austria; and, in the mean time, the rapidly increasing trade and navigation between the two countries have been placed upon the most liberal foot ing Of the navigation acts.
 Several alleged depredations have been re- gently committed on our commerce by the na- tenal vessels of Portugal. They have been
 made the subject of immediate remonstrance and rrlamation.< I am not yet possessed of suihcient information to express a dcfntive opinicl of their character, but expect soon tc receise 1t. No proper means shall be omit ted toobtain for our citizens all the redress to whichthey may appear to be entitled.
 Almost at the moment of the adjournment of yo'i' last session, two bills, the one entitled "An ;ct for making appropriation fer building lighthouses, light-boats, beacons, and monu- ments placing buoys, and for impi owing har- bors and for directing surveys" and the other ''An act to authorize a subscription for stock in the Louisville and Portland Canal Compa- ny," were submitted for my approval. It was not possible, within the time allowed me, be- fore tie close of the session, to give these bills the consideration, which was due to their cha racter and importance; and l was compelled to retain them for that purpose. lnow avail myself of this early opportunity to return them to the Houses in which they respectively originated, with the reasons which, after ma ture deliberation, compelled to withhold my approval
 Thepractice of defraying out of the Trea- sury of the United States the expenses incur red by the establishment and support of light houses, beacons, buoys, and public piers, within the bays inlets, harbors, and ports oi the United States, to render the navigation thereofsafe and easy, is coeval with the adop- tion of the Constitution, and has been continu- ed without Interruption or dispute.
 As our foreign commerce increased, and was extended into the interior of the country by the establishment of ports of entry and de- livery, upon our navigable rivers, the sphere of those expenditures received correspond- enlargement. Lighthouses, beacons, buo ys, public piers, and the removal of sand-bars, sawyerS, and other partial or temporary impe- ailments in the navigable rivers and harbors which were embraced in the revenue districts from time to time established by law, were authorized upon the same principle, and the expense defrayed in the same manner. That these expenses have at times been extrava- i. The circumstances under which they are in- cured are well calculated to lead to such a result, unless their application is subjected tc the closest scrutiny. The local advantages arisingfrom the disbursement of public money too frequently, it is to be feared, invite appro- priatiors for objects of this character, that are neither necessary nor useful. The number oi lighthouse keepers is already very large, and the bill before me proposes to add to it fifty-one more, of various descriptions. From repre- seutations upon the subject, which are under stood to be entitled to respect, lam induced tc believe that there has not only been great i'm providence in the past expenditures of the Government upon these objects, but that the security of navigation has, in some instance. been diminished by the multiplication of light. houses, and consequent change of lights, up on the coast. It is in this, as in other respects our duty to avoid all unnecessary expense, a. well as every increase of patronage not called for by the public service. But, in the dis charge of that duty in this particular, it mus not be forgotten that, in relation to our fo. reign commerce, the burden and benefit o protect ng and accommodating it necessarily go together, and must do so as long as the public revenue is drawn from the people thro the custcm-huuse. 1t is intlsputable, that whatever gives facility and security to navi- gation, cheapens imports; and all who con- sume them arc alike interested in whatever produces this effect. lfthey consume, they ought, as they now do, to pay; otherwise, they do not pay. The consumer in the most in- land State derives the same advantage from every necessary and prudent expenditure for the facility and security of our foreign com merce and navigation, that he does, who re- sides in maratime State. Local expendi- lures have not, of themselves, correspond ent operation.