Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-10-19
MIR. VAN BUREN's REPLY.

0wAsco, Cayuga Co., Oct 4, 1892
Gcntlemen-Tour letter of the 25h August found me
at this place. regret extremely that the DELAY in it's
cepon, occasoncd by my absence, has prevented
licr attention 10 its contents.
BY the resolutions which YOU have been appointed to
communicate TO ne, am advised that those by whom
they were adopted desire to be informed ofmy sentiments
son the subjects of the Protective System and proper
adjustment Internal improvement, the Bank OF the United
States, and Nulliiicaton'
The right of hose you represent to be Informed Of my
opinions upon these interesting subjects, derived from
the position in which the favor of my fellow citizens has
placed me- is undoubted; and in checrluy complying
with their request have only TO regret that the ncon-
venicnce the situation in which it finds me, consequent
upon the hurry and confusion attending the further
cuon o my journey, and the importance, TO the fulfil
ment OF the objects your constituents, of as little delay
possible IN the transmission OF this communication, pre-
cude any thing like elaborate discussion subjects
under consideration indeed such would, under
more favorable circumstances be desirable YOU The
regret however, which might otherwise experience on
this account is relieved by the hope, that my fellow citi
Zens OF North Carolina preferng with characteristic good
sense results TO speculaons will be well satisfied and
effcctuay aided in the bestowment of their
sulragcs by betbut explicit avowa of my opinions
they would be by elaborate dissertation upon subjects
which have been so thoroughly and dfusivey debated
Although my official acts i'm relation to the Protective
SYSTEM might well be regarded rendering the avowa
unnecessary, think IT. nevertheless proper say that
view 10 me encouragement of domestic prodicfss 10 a
wlthln the constitutional power of Congress. Whilst
however, have entertained this opnion il has never
been my wish TO the power question xercsed with
an oppressive inequality upon any portion of our citizens
or Tor me advantage OF one section of the Union The
eved 10 he the sacred duty of those who are entrusted
with the administration OF the federal government to di-
rect Its operations III the manner best calculated dstri
o"e as equally as possible its burthens and blessings
amongst the scve" states and the people NV views upon
.hs SUBJECT were several years spread before the
people OF this state and have since been widely dIused
through the medium of the pubic press NV object at
that time TO invite the attention of nv n,ne,aie con
sucns dspas>ionae consideration of the subicct in
its various bearings being well assured that such ninycs.
ugaon would bring them a Standard which, from its
moderation aud Justice would furnish the best guarantee
for the true interests of all IT. has been supposed those
views have contributed in any degree produce state of
feeling so much TO be desired have he grafied
with the result.
The approaching, andf the policy OF the present Execu
1--WE Is allowed TO prevail the certain and speedy extin
gushmen OF the national debt has presented an opportu
nifty for equitable adjustment of te tariff which
mas neeh already embraced, by the adoption of conca-
tory measure, tie spirit Of which will donht not contin-
tie to he cherished by all who DESTROYS OF vancng
their private interests at the sacrifice of those of the pub
Inony OF the Union.
The protective System and its proper adjustment be.
came subject OF frequent and necessary consideration
whilst formed part of the cabnet and the manner i'm
which the President proposed TO carry into effect the poll
cy in rel ion nposts recommended in his prevous
messages, has since been avowed with that frankness
which belongs 10 his character To this end he recon-
mended ga modification OF the tariff which should produce
reduction oil the revenue the of the govern
ment, and an adjustment OF the duty upon imports with
view TO equal justice in relation to all national inter
ess and to the counteracon Of foreign policy, far
may be injurious TO those interests"
In these sentiments fully concur; and have been
thus explicit in the statement of them that there NAV no
for msapprehension as TO INV own ve unon the
SUBJECT sincere and faithful application of these prn
cPcs to our legislation unwarped by private interest or
political design; restriction of the wants of the govern
men to simple and economical administration of its af-
airsihe only administration which is consistent with
the purity and stability of the republican sysem;-a pre-
terence IN encouragement given, such manufactures as
are essential to the national defence and extension IN
others IN proportion as they adapted TO our country
and OF which the material is produced by ourselves
win proper respect for the rule which demands that all
taxes should tie Imposed 10 ihe
condition OF the cOnrbutors;-would, ] am convinced
give ultimate satisfaction vast majority of the people
Of me United States, aud arrest that spirit of discomfort
"nc now uhhapPy prevalent, and which threatens
SUCH extensive injury the institutions of our country
internal Improvements diversified in their ma
tuFc ana the possible agency of the federal government
in their constructions so variable i'm tie character and 10
gree, as TO render it not little difficult TO Law down any
precise rule That VIII embrace the whole subject The
broauet ana best defined division, is that which dsdn.
cuisines between The direct construction of works of i'm
eTnal improvement by the general government and ne
cuary assistance given by to such are undertaken
ny Oihes In he Iorner are included the right TO make
and establish roads and canals with the States and the
sumption OF rs much jurisdiction over the territory they
may occupy, is necessary their preservation and
use: The latter is restricted TO simple grants of mo-
ney ~ aid OF such works, when made under state autor
The federal government does not in my opinion, pos
the power first specified. nor can il derive II ,, d.
assent Of the State n which such works are to be con
slructed The money power it is called not so free
IRON difficulty Various rules have, from time 10 time
cen suggested by those who properly appreciate the i'm
porance OF precision and certainty the operations of the
federal power but they have been frequently nfrnged
upon by 'he apparently unavoidable action Of the govern
nehi mat hna and satisfactory settlement Of The ques-
uon has been prevented The wide difference between
definition OF the power question upon paper aud its
P'cca operations OF government has been sensbly lc
Oy a VINO nave been entrusted with the management Of
public Affairs. The whole subject was reviewed in the
ffeHeH mays'c Message. Sincerely believing thal
VIC ii'ees o. we wloe country, ihe quiet, not to
ay The stability Of The Union, and e preservation Of that