The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-12-11


nally any claim To them, and which have
enjoyed the undivided emolument arising
from The sale of their own lands, it can
not be expected that the new States will
remain longer contented with the present
policy after the payment of the public
debt. To avert the consequences which
may be npprehended from this cause, TO
put MI end forever to all partial and M
terested legislation on this subject, and
to afford to every American citizen of
enterprise the opportunity of securing an
independent freehold, it seems to me,
therefore, best to abandon tho idea of
raising a future revenue out of tire public
lands.
In former messages l have expressed
my conviction that the constitution does
not warrant the application of the funds
of the General Government to objects of
Internal Improvement which are not ma
tional in their character, and both as n
means of doing justice to all interests,
and putting an epd to a course of legis-
laton calculated TO destroy the purity of
lhe government, have urged the necessity
y ,..s.:educing the whole subject to some
fStd and certain rule. AS there never
will occur period, perhaps, more pro-
pitinus than the present To the accom-
ptishment Of this object, beg leave To
press the subject again upon your atten-
ton.
Without some general and well def n
ed principles assertaining those objects
OF internal Improvement 10 which the
means Of the Nation may be censtitu-
tionaly applied, it is Obvious that the
exercise of The power can never be sat-
isfactory. Besides She danger to which
1t exposes Congress ofmaking hasty ap-
propnators to works of the character
of which they may be frequently ignor-
ant, it promotes a mischievOus and cor
rupting influence upon elections, by
holding out to the people the fallacious
hope that the success of n certain can
ddate will make navigablc their neigh
boring creek or river, bring commerce
to their doors and increase the value of
their property. 1t thus fayors combina-
tons 10 squonder the treasure of the
country upon IA multitude of local OBJ
jects, ms fatal to just legislation as to
ihe purity of public men.
lfa system compatible with the consiitu.
ton cannot be devised, which is free from
such tendencies, we should recollcct that
instrument provides within itself the mode Of
its amendments and that there is, there
fore, no excuse for the assumption of doubt.
fol powers by the general government. If
those which are clearly granted shall be
found incompetent to the ends oi its creation
it can at any time apply for .heir enlarge
ment: and there ls no probability that such
an application. if founded on the public in.
terest, will ever be refused If the proprie
ty of he proposed grant be not sufficiently
apparent to command the assent of three
fonrths of the States, the best possible rea
son why the power should no. be assumed
on doubtful authority is afforded for ifJnore
than one fourth of the States are unwilling
To make the grant, is exercise will be pro-
ductive of discontcnts which W II far over.
balance any advantages that could be derv.
ed from it, All mnst admit that there is
nothing so worthy of the constant solicitude
of this government, as The harmony and un
ion OF the people,
Being solemnly impressed with the con
viction, that the extension of the power to
make internal i'm provements beyond the
limit have suggested, ever if il he deemed
constitutional, is snbversve of the best in
terests of our country, ! earnestly recon
mend to Congress to refrain from It's exer-
else, in doubtful cases, except IN relation TO
improvements already begun, unless they
shall first procure from the States such an
amendment of the Constitution as will define
its character and prescribe lts bounds IL the
States feel themselves competent to these
objects, why sheuld this Government wish TO
assume the power? If they do not, then
they will not hesitate 10 make the grant.
Both Governments are the Governments Of
the people improvements must be made
with The money Of the people and if the
money can be collected and applied by those
more simple and economical political ma
chimes, the State Governments, II will I'm
queslionably be- safer and better for the peo
Pile, than To add To the splendor. the patron
age, aud the power OF the General Govern
ment. But Il the people of the several States
think otherwise, they will amend the Con
stlutop. and in their decision all ought
cheer'ully to acquesce.
For detailed and highly satisfactory
view of the operations of the War Depart
meGt, ] refer you To the accompanying ye-
port Of he Secretary OF War.
The hostile incursions otthe Sac and Fox
Indians necessarily led to the inter position
of the Government. a portion of The troops,
under Generals Scott and Atkinson. and of
the militia of,he State of Illinois, were call.
ed into the field After n harassing war;
faro, prolonged by the nature of the country,
aud by the difficulty of procuring subss
tence, the Indians were entirely defeated,
aud the dlsaiIectcd band dispersed or des-
troycd. The result has been creditable 10
the troops engaged in The service Severe
as is the lesson TO the Indians. u was ren.
dered necessary by their unprovoked ag-
gressions and il is to be hoped that it's i'm
preston will be permanent and salutary.