The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-12-08
SPY.....EXtra.

the integrity of the Union Whatever distractions NAV he
thrown in the way of the Judicial Authorities Of the General
Government is hoped they will be able peaceaby 10 over
them by the prudence of their own officers and the pa
tosm Of the people But should this reasonable reliance
the moderation and good portions of our fellow
citizens be disappointed it is believed that the laws them
selves fully adequate the suppression Of such attempts
may be Immediately made Should The exigency arise
rendering the execution Of the existing laws impracticabe
from any whatever prompt oft will be giyen.o
Congress, with the suggestion of such views and measures
as may be deemed necessary 10 it.
In conformity with principles heretofore explained and with
the hope oreducing the General Government 10 that simple
machine which the Constitution created and Withdrawing
from The States all other influence than that of universal
benecence in preserving peace aordng uniform curren-
cy maintaining The nvioabty of contracts dusing nte
gence and dlschargng une its other experimenting unc
stocks held by n corporations whether by the
General or State Governments, and placing the proceeds
The Treasury AS of profit these stocks are of little
or value of influence among the States they
are adverse to the purity of institutions The whole prn
cPe which they based is deemed by many uncons
utona and TO persist the policy which they Indicate
considered wholly inexpeden
1t is my duty to acquain you with an arrangement made
oy the Bank OF the United States with portion of the hold
ers of the per cent stock. by which the Government will
be deprived of the of the public funds longer than
anticipated by this arrangement which II be particularly
explained by the Secretary of the 1.eas " surrender Of
the certificates of this stocks may be postponed until Octo
ber 1883 and thus the liability of the Government after its
ability 70 discharge The debt may be continued by the fall
ure OF the Bank to perform its duties
Such measures within the reach of the Secretary of
The Treasury have been taken 10 enable him judge whet
entirely safe but his limited power may prove inadequate
TO this object recommend the subject the attention of
Congress- under the firm belief that worthy of their
rous investigation An inquiry into the transactions of the
institutions embracing the branches well the principal
Bank called for by the credit which given through
out the country to many serious charges mpeachng lis char
acer and which, If true justly excite the apprehension
That no longer safe depository of the money Of the
people.
Among the interests which the consideration OF Con-
gress, after the payment of the public debt of the
important in my view, is that of the public lands Previous
10 the formation OF our present constitution
mended by Congress that portion OF the waste lands
ed by the States should be ceded the United States for
the purpose of general harmony, and fund meet the
expenses of the war. The Recommendation was adopted
and at different periods of me the States OF Massachusetts,
New York. Virginia, North and South Carolina and Geor-
gia granted their vacant lands for the for which they
had been asked As the lands may be considered as
relieved from this pledge, the object for which they were
ceded having been accomplished is in the discretion
congress TO dispose of them such way best conduce
10 me quiet harmony and general interest of the American
people In examining this question all local and sectional
feelings should be discarded and the whole United States
regarded as one people, interested alike in the prosperity
their common country.
cannot be doubted that the speedy settlement of these
lands constitutes the true interest of the republic The
wealth and strength OF country its population and the
best part OF that population the cuvators Of the SOIL
independent farmers every where the basis of society,"
and true friends of liberty.
In addition 10 these considerations questions have already
arisen and may be expected hereafter grow pub
lie lands which involve The rights of the States and the
powers of the General Government and unless liberal
policy be adopted there danger that these questions
may speedily assume Importance not generally anti
cpaed The influence Of great sectional interest, when
brought into full action will be found dangerous 10 the
harmony and union of the States than any other of
discomfort and is the part wisdom and policy TO
foesee approaches and cndeavor possible couneract
them.
Oe various schemes which have been hitherto proposed
in regard to the disposal Of the public lands has yet
ceived the entire appreciation of the National Legislature
Deeply impressed with the importance of speedy and salts
factory arrangement of the subject deem my duty this
occasion 10 your consideration and TO the pro-
positions which have been heretofore suggested by Others to
contribute those reflections which have occurred TO me- in
the hope that they may assist you In your future debera
tions.
II me be our true policy that the public lands
shall practicable 10 be Of revenue
and that they be sold 10 settlers in limited parcels price
barely sufficient 10 reimburse to the United States the ex
of the present SYSTEM and the arising under
Indian compacs The advantages Of accurate surveys and
undoubted titles secured to purchasers forbid
substituted which will perfectly accomplish these i'm
porant ends 1t is desirable however that in convenient
time this machinery be withdrawn from the States, and that
the right of soil and the future disposition oft be surrendered
to the States respectively in which it les
The adventurous and hardy population of the West, be-
sides contributing their equal share of taxation under
present SYSTEM have the progress Of government for
the lands they occupy paid into the treasury large proper
ton of forty million Of dollars and Of the revenue received
hererom but small parhas been expended amongst them
When TO the disadvantage of their situation in this respect
add the consideration that it their labour alone which
gives real value the lands that the proceeds arising
their sale distributed chiefly among States which had not
originally any claim them and which have enjoyed the
undivided emoument arising from the sale ofher lands
1t cannot be expected that the new States will remain long
conened with the present policy after the payment of the
public debt 10 avert the consequences which may ap
pretended from this cause put end forever all partial
and legislation on this to afford every
American citizen of enterprise the opportunity of securing
independent freehold, it therefore, best to a.
bandon the idea oraising future out of the public
lands.
In former messages have expressed my conviction tina,
the constitution does not the application of the funds
of the General Government TO objects of Internal Improve
nttxnI int hoirc md ho11
of doing justice TO all interests and putting end
of legislation calculated to destroy the purity the
government have urged the necessity of reducing the whole
subject fixed and certain rule As there will
period perhaps, prop.ous than the present
the accomplishment of this object beg leave press the
subject again upon your attention.
Without general and well defined principles ascer-
tanning those objects of internal improvement which the
of the Nation may be constitutonay applied OBJ
that the exercise OF the be satsaco
n.y. Besides the danger 10 which exposes Congress making
hasy appropriations to works of the character of which they
may be frequently ignorant, it promotes mischevous and
couptng influence upon elections by holding the peo
Pile the aacous hope that the of certain candidate
will make navgabe their neighborng creek river bring
10 their doors and increase the value of their prop
ey 1t thus favors combinations 10 squander the of
the country upon multitude of local Objects fatal 10 lust
legislation to the purity of public
If system compatible with the constitution cannot be de-
ved which free from such tendencies should recoect
that that instrument provides within itself the mode of lis
amendment and that there is therefore, excuse for the
assumption Of doubtful powers by the general government
If those which clearly granted shall be found incompetent
10 the ends Of its creation it al any time apply for their
enlargement and there is probability that such an app-
cation if founded the public interest," will be refused
If the propety of the proposed grant be sufficiently APP
parent TO command the Of three-ourhs of the States
the best possible why the power should be
ed on doubtful authority is aaorded for if more than one
fourth of the States unwilling 10 make the grant, exer-
else will be productive Of disconens which will far Overhaul
any advantages that could be derived from it, All must
admit that there nothing worthy of the solicit
ude OF this government as the harmony and union Of the
people.
Being soemnly impressed with the conviction IN at the ex