Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-12-06


oits universal benehcence in preserving peace aordng
uniform currency maintaining the nviolabi3y of con-
tracts, dinsng intelligence aud dischargng, unie its
other experimenting functions that provision
be made dispose OF all stocks held by il in corpora
tons, whether created by the General State Govern
mcnts, aud placing the proceeds in the Treasury. AS
OF profit, these stocks Of little value;
of influence among the States they adverse
the purity of our institutions The whole principle upon
which they are based, is deemed by many
and, persist in the policy which they indicate, is
Sdcrcd wholly inexpedicn
II is my duty TO acquant you with the ngemeu
made by the Bank OF the United States with portion OF
the holders Of the three per stock by which the Gov
ernment will be deprived of the Of the public fund.
longer than was anticipated by this arrangement, which
will be particularly explained by the Secretary OF the
Treasury surrender of the certificates of this stock may
DC postponed until October, 1888; aud thus the liability oil
the Government after its ability discharge the debt,
may be continued by the failure Of the bank perform lis
duties
Such within the reach Of the Secretary
Of the Treasury have been taken enable him 10 Judge
whether the public depoes in that institution may be ie-
gar,ed as entirely safe; hut, his limited power may
prove inadequate 10 this object recommend the subject
10 the attention Of Congress- under the firm belief that
worthy OF their serious investigation. An inquiry into
the transactions of the institution embracing the branches
well the principal bank, called for by the
dit which is given throughout the country many seri
Gus charges mpeachng its character, and which, II true,
may justly excite the apprehension that il is longer
safe depository OF the money OF the people.
Among the Interests which merit the consideration OF
Congress after the payment of the public debt of the
most important, in my view, that OF the public lands
Previous TO the formation OF the present constitution,
lands owned by the States should be ceccded 10 the Uni
ted States for the purposes Of general harmony, and
fund TO meet the expenses OF the The recommen-
dation adopted, and, at different periods of time, the
States OF Massachusetts, New York, Virginia, North
and South Carolina, aud Georgia. granted their
soil for the uses for which they had been asked. As
the lands may now be considered relieved from this
pledge the object for which they coded having been
accomplished it is the discretion of Congress to DISPOSE
Of them i'll such way best conuce thcq uet har-
mony, and general interest OF the American people. In
examining this question, all local AMI sectional feelings
.I, all
ed as one people, interested alike in the prosperity OF their
/ common country
1t be doubted that the speedy settlement these
lands constitutes the true interest of the republic.
The wealth and strength OF country its population
and the hest part of that population the cu,vato OF
the soil independent farmers every where the ba-
sis of society," and true friends OF liberty.
In addition To these considerations questions have alrea-
dy arisen aud may be expected hereafter 10 grow out OF
the ubic lands which involve the righs of the new
States, and the powers o. the General Government; and
unless liberal policy be adopted, there is danger
that these questions may speedily importance
moi now generally anicipated. he Influence OF great
sectional interest, when brought ino iu action, will be
found dangerous 10 the harmony aud union of the
states than any other cause OF disconcnt aud it is the
par, of wisdom ana sound policy TO oreee its
IF and endeavor, ii possible, 10 councrac; them.
OF the various schemes which have been hitherto pro
posed in regard 10 the disposal OF the public laus,
, has yet received the approba OF the atona
ii Legislature. Deeply impressed W h the importance OF
speedy and satisfactory arrangement OF The subject,
deem my duty, this occasion, urge upon you
consideration and, to tie propositions mich have beer
lions which have occurred to me- IN The hope that they
y may assist you in your future deliberations
1t seems To me 10 be oicy that the publ
lsnd- shall cease practicable TO be
revenue and that they be sold 10 settlers, in limited par
GELS at pIice barely sufficient to reimburse 10 the Unit
eel States the expense OF the present SYSTEM an the
J. arising under ou Indian compac The advantages
J. accuat surveys and undoubIed titles, secured
purchasers, seem to forbid the addition OF the presen
system, because be subs uted which will
per'fEily acenmRlish these mpor eLd Ii is desra
Il enc me future disposition OF it, be ondefed TO III
b siare' respectively, in which it lies
H. ne adventurous aud hardy population of the west, he
sues con iDutng their equal share of taxation under mi
es Po' fys en- have, in the progress our government
e ~ e amos hey occupy, paid into the I, easury arg
& 1h oil Tory millions OF dollars and OF The
IS received thereiom, but small part has been exnene
D. amongst tnem When, 20 the disadvantage OF their stu
l. "oh IN 'his respect, add the conSir ration that il
'her iabour alone which gives real value TO the nJs
IS a' ia' ne proceeds arising ia sale are dsrbu
Iu cn'thv among states VIII ch hal not ienay am,
: e''in 10 mem, and which have ehi1ye, the undvi.,
emoument arising fr the sale OF their own l,nJs !;
IS c"ho nr expected that he states i'll remain lone
commenced with the present policy AT err The pavneni
e the public d. h.. To aver ,e cor r.,nb ~
DC "PPfehcnded from tbs cause % put an end forever r.
az Pa ana intel es'ad legislation Ibis subject ana,
W "''u 10 every American citizen OF enterprse The nm
l' u"y OF securing an independent iret hold il .ecm,
.to'e, best 10 abadon the idea OF raising i
u ",e revenue out OF the public Ian IS
Ia former Messages have EXPRESSED NV copy;cio,
r d. constitution does not warrant the application OF
Wv s OF me general government objects OF internal
Improvement which are national in their character
and BON as means of doing jus ice to all Interest," and
put Ing an end 10 Legislation cacuIa,ed 10 40
sI'y me purify OF the governments have urged the no
tossiy OF reducing the whole subject to some fl xed and
o''"in rue' As there never will orcur period ner.
P more pro- Ious than The present The accomplish.
I upon your attention 's'
without some general and well defined principles oscer
.snlhg those objects OF internal improvement TO which
me means OF the nation may be consiiulionay applied
IS OBVIOUS That the exercise of the power can never he
sdVsidc oiy. Besides the dapg TO which /, oxposes
oer'ss OF making hdsiy appropriations TO works of the
character OF which they may be frequently ignorant i,
promo ea InlschevoUs and corruptine influence mon
1eco by holding out the people the falIacios hone
"' nc success oil certain candidate i'll make nay
eT heigIO0ring creek river bring comiuei &c ia
ue" ooOfs' anu increase The value oil their propeitv II
"Vo'S conona ions TO squander the treasure OF the
country upon multitude OF lOcal iects as fatal TO us
/ legislation as TO the purity OF pubic men
~ system compatible with The consii,u ion cannot be
devised which is free from such tendencies we shouId
i IeVoect mat that INSTRUMENT provides within itself tbe
more OF s amendment; and at there is there fore no
excuse of Tie assumption Of doubtful powers bv tho Co
he a. Government Ii those which are clearly gran,ed
snai DE found Incompetent tie ends of lis cea7in IL
ca" al any lime apply for their enarg emeni a there
no Pioodbbiy that such applications II founded ON tbe
uoc tT resi- VIII ever be refused. II the proprietv Of
VIC proposed grant be not sufficiently apparent to com.
'W me assent oil tliee-ouths OF The State, tile best
'Dle reason why The power should be assumed on
uouo vi authority afforded; Tor il more bn one lou,b
OF we states are unwilling 10 make the grant i,s cxr
WI oe productive OF dscOnens which will Ear overhsI
'hce any advantages that could be der we'd from n All
mus! ADMIT That there Is nothing 40 worthy of the
Of the people NV 'O'S ""o union
peig solemny impressed with the conviction ,l,at the