The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-08-24

,, llams Of North Carolina, is taken from the
Boston Statesman of Aug. 20:-
Mr.. Van Bmen's Letter TO the Hon.
Sherrod Williams THE Albany Argus of
the 10Th inst, publishes a letter from Mr.
: Van Buren, containing full and explicit
statement OF his political views in regard to
) the surplus reyenue-the distribution of the
proceeds OF the sales of public lands-ap-
preparations to Improve navigable streams
above ports Of entry-the United States
, Bank, and the Expunging Resolution.
In regard to the propriety Of law for
} the distribution of the surplus revenue, Mr..
: Van Buren declares the opinion that Con-
gress does not possess the power, under the
Constitution, to raise money for dIsiribu-
ton among.the States. lie thinks that any
system by which a distribution is made
among the States, of moneys collected by
the Federal Government, would introduce
vices into the legislation of both govern
ments General and Stale governments)
productive of the most injurious effects.
The Deposit Bill, (recently passed) will re-
move any pretence of speedy necessity of
such a step, and give time TO provide
against the recurrence of redundance of
revenue. II would be great misfortune if
that law were regarded by the country as
J pledgIng the future course of its legislation.
/ The circumstances under which 1t was (
passee were of an extraordinary character,
and cannot well again occur. To the bill,
as amended, the President gave his assent, !
and he IVAN BUREN, would have given to
the bill similar direction if it had become
his duty to decide on the question of its
passage or rejection. IL is now for the ma
Jorty Of the people to decide whether this .
measure shall be tolerated as a temporary
expedIcnt, forced upon the country by ex-
traOrdlnary circumstances, or whether the
distribution of the public deposites shall be
the present and fnrrrunner of future dis
tribuiions of he public revenue. He hopes
that the public voice will demand that this
species of legislation shall terminate with
the emergency that produced it by taking
early and efficienl steps 10 prevent the re.
currence of the evil which rendered the !
measure necessary.
The next subject of inquiry regards the
distribution of the proceeds of the sales of
the public lands, among The States accor-
ding to thetederal population of each. lie .
thinks that the accumulation of large tracts
in few hands should be discountenanced
Gn order to effect this obiect,) but the par
ticular measures by which these results are
to be secured is IA matter OF detail to be set
tied by Congress. The disposition of the
public lands proposed by the bill to which
President Jackson refused his assent, was
highly objectionable. lie is of opinion thar
the ayais Of the public lands will be more
nnui,,bIx c,,,bf,,Iiu an,,l.I In bo ]
" common benefit of the United States" by
their Continued application to the wants of
the Treasury than BY any other mode that
has yet been suggested. He says, therefore,
that in the cent of his election to he Pres
Idency, he shall not favor that policy.
The next question Is whether he ap-
proves bills making appropriations TO i'm
prove navgable rivers above ports of entry.
Tie does not consider the rule adopted by
IN President for the regulation of his con- {
iIct in this matter az free from objection, c
,ut he is satisfied that it has been produc- |
i've of nruch good, and will give it his sup
port until u more satisfactory one is sugges- c
ed. le
In regard to the question whether he will
ion and approve "A bill, under certain cir
umstances, charering n United States
Bank. he answers that he holds, as he has
stated, IS', that Congress does -
o, possess the power "a establish Nation
Bank i'm apy of the States OF The Uuion, :
or to establish in such States, the branch
{ any bnnk located in the District of Col c
inba. I'd. That he is, therefore, decided N
opposed to the establishment o: ii National ac
'ank in any of the States, aud IS also op-
osed to the establishment of any such banh
the District of Columbia, as unnecessary L
nd inexpedient, and liable to great abuses.
Ie thinks that the Constitution does not
iUe Congress pOUer to erect c0rp0I 0ta0nS
thin the States. He is opposed to the
Of that power OH the part of
ongress, upon any pretence whatever.
e shall consider his election, therefore, as -
D expression of the will of the people that
ere shall not be any Bank of the United
tates until the people see fit to give Con- y
-ess the constitutional right to establish
ne. As to the benefits alleged to have
zen rendered by the Bank of the United
rates, he thinks the same objects can be
without the agency of any
ch institution, aud to a greater and more
'efuI extent without it than with it. Tie
inks that gold and silver should cons,i-
te a greater portion of the circulating me-
um of the country than they now do.
e considers other countries wiser than We
- in this respect, and that their wisdom is
own in prohibiting small notes, which in
rectly causes the accumulation of gold -
I'd silver in the hands of the people. Ii