Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-08-18
LETTER FROM MR.. CLAIBORNE.
CLAYBRooK, July %, 1886.
To The voters Of Bedford, Patrick, Hen
RI and Franklin counties

FELLOW CTTIzESs--It was my in
tention TO have addressed you circu-
lar letter, in the course of the last
session of Congress, detailing the leg
islative operations of that body; but
unfortunately, the measure had most
at heart (the bill regulating the custo-
dy of the public purse,) was long re-
sisted, and did not pass, until, aided
by public sentiment, we we're enabled
to carry it through both houses by al
most unexampled majorities. 1t was
then too late TO prepare and publish,
what under different circumstance, |
would have prepared and published.
The removal of the public monies
had produced the most bitter feelings
as you well know. The manner the
Banks were selected, and other things,
on which it is unnecessary now to dwell
had been made the theme of reiterated
denunciation, on the floor of Congress.
The deposite bill of the last session,
happily, sllences all this clamor. The
public purse is now under the control
Of the law, as it should be, enacted by
the national legislature. The passage
oil this bill produced sensation at the
seat of government that | cannot des-
crbe. 1t was looked TO as light, dis
pelllng the darkness which had, for so.
veral years encircled our political no.
rison, as new guaranty that our glo-
rious free institutions would live forev-
err. Happy | am to say, that on my
journey home from Washington, and
since my arrival at The place whore
this letter is dated, | have met with no
human being who disapproved the de-
posite bill. On the contrary. all who
! have conversed with me on the subject
| have admitted, that it was a necessary
and proper measure, and may well
say it has been and will be sustained
by large majority OF the people. In
the House Of Representatives believe
forty-thrce only voted against it. In
the Senate there were six votes in the
negative. | speak from memory as
my journals have not yet come to hand.
The entire bill was inserted in many Of
the newspapers, and, with few excep-
tions, it appears to have met the appro-
baton of the editorial corps. The bill
provides for the distribution of the sur
plus revenue, at the end Of this year,
among the different States. The sum
that, beyond doubt, will fall to Virgin
ia, will be about two millions of dol
lars. This astonishing accumulation
Of money in the public treasury, has
been brought about, first, by the pay
ment, a year ago, of the balance o
the national debt; secondly, and prin'
I cipally, by the astonishing increase in
the sales Of public lands and in the
: third place, by the increase in the a.
mount ofimported articles. Until late
ly the public lands brought about one
million a year. They are estimated
as bringing in at this time, near elgh
teen millions annually; and from pre-
sent appearances, there will be no ial-
ling off for some time to come.
Until the national debt was extln
guished, by the operation OF laws pas
sed by Congress in 1sl7-prlnclpally
at the instance Of the late William
Lowndes-the payments towards sai'
debt annually absorbed about twelv'