Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1835-12-17

| am confident, be approved Dy my
constituents. ] have, indeed, studied
their character to but little purpose, II
the sum oftwenty five millions offrancs
will have the weight Of a feather, IN
their estimation Of what appertains to
their national independence, and i, un.
happily, a different impression should
at any time obtain in any quarter, they
will, | am sure, rally around the Gov
eminent of their choice with alacrity
and u%nanimity, and silence forever the
degrading imputation.
Having thus frankly presented to
you the circumstances which, since the
last session of Congress, have occurred
in this truly interesting and important
matter, with the views ofthe Executive
in regard to them, it is at this time only
necessary to add, that whenever the
adyices now daily expected from our
Charge d'Affaires shall have been re-
ceivcd, they will be made the subject
Of special communication.
The condition Of the public Finances
was never more f~lattering than at the
present period.
Since my last annual communication
all the remains of the public debt have
been redeemed, or money placed IN
deposite for this purpose, when the cre-
ditors choose to receive it. All the
other pecuniary engagements of the
Government have been honorably and
promptly fulfilled, and there will be a
balance in the treasury, at the close OF
the present year, Of about nineteen
millions of dollars. 1t is believed that
after meeting all outstanding and un-
expected appropriations, there willro-
main near eleven millions to be appli-
ed to objects which Congress may de-
~signate, or to the more rapid execution
of the works already in progress. In
aid Of these objects and to satisfy the
current expenditures of the ensuing
year, it is estimated that there will be
received, from various sources, twenty
millions more in 1886.
Should Congress make new appro-
priations, in conformity with the esti-
mates which will be submitted from the
proper departments, amounting to "a
bouttwenty. four millions, still the avail
liable surplus, at the close of the next
year, after ~dcducting all u~nexpendcd
appropriations, will probably be not
less than six millions. This sum can,
in my judgment, now be ~useiully appli.
ed to proposed improvements in our
Navy Yards, and to new national
works, which are not enumerated in
the present estimates, or to the more
rapid completion Of those already be.
gun. Either would be constitutional
and useful, & would render
ry any attempt in our present peculiar
condition, to divide the surplus W
nuc, or to reduce it any faster than
will be effected by the existing laws.
In any event, as the annual report from
the Secretary ofthe Treasury will IN
ter into details, showing the probabiIi-
ty ofsome decrease in the revenue du-
ring the next sever years, a very con-
siderable reduction in 1912, it is not
recommended that Congress should
undertake to modify the present tariff,
so as to disturb the principles on which
the compromise act was passed. Tax
alton on some ofthe articles ofgeneral
consumption, which are not in compc-
tition with our own productions, may
be, no doubt, so diminished as to lessen
to some extent the source ofthis reve-
nue. I; and the same object can also he
assisted by more liberal provisions for
the public defence, which, in the pres
ent state ofour prosperity and wealth,
may be expected to engage your atten-
ton. If, however, after satisfying all
the demands whichc can arise from these
sources, the ~unexpended balance in the
Treasury should still continue to in.
crease, it would be better to bear with
the evil until the great changes con-
templated in our tariff laws, have &C.
Cured. and shall enable us to revise
the system with that care and cIrcum-
spection which are due to so delicate
and important a subject.
1t is certainly our duty to diminish,
Us far as we can, the burdens of taxa
ton, and TO regard all tie restrictions
which are imposed on the trade and ma
vigation ofour citizens as evils which
we shall mitigate whenever we are not
nreventpd bV the adverse leoislatiOn
and policy of foreign nations, or those
primary duties which the defence and
independence ofour country e%nioin up
on us. That we have accomplished
much towards the relief ofour citizens
by the changes which have accompani.
ed the payment Of the public debt, and
the adoption of the present Revenue
laws, is manifest from the fact, that,
copono rod with 1922 thora ;c a dipoun;.