Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1836-09-14

Mn. VAN BUREN's LETTER.-The pro-
missed letter to the Hon. Sherrod Williams,
in reply to certain interrogatories, appears
in the Argus of the 10Th. It's great length
will necessarily exclude it from our columns
for the present, but should its publication be
deemed necessary for the correction of err
roneous opinions it may hereafter appear.
The interrogatories %propounded to Mr..
Van Buren, were five in number:
First, whether if elected President he
would sign a bill for distributing the surplus
revenue among the States according to the
federal population
Second, the same in relation to the pro.
ceeds of the sales of the public lands:
Third, whether he would approve a bill
making appropriations for the Improvement
of navigable rivers above ports of entry.
Fourth, if he would sign a bill chartering
a United States Bank, and Fifth, what his
views are as to the right of the Senate and
House, to expunge from the Journals the
records and proceedings Of a previous SEES.
sion.
In his reply to the first question Mr.. v.
b. says, " in my opinion Congress does not
possess the power, under the constitution, to-
raise money for distribution among the
States and if a distinction can be main.
tanned between raising money for such a
purpose, and the distribution of an unex-
pected surplus (of which | am not satisfed)
| think it ought not to be attempted without
q previous amendment of the constitution,
defining the authrity and regulating its exer-
cise."
To the late deposite bill he says he would
have given his assent had it devolved ON
him to have determined its passage but
gives it as his opinion that a recurrence Of n
necessity to such a resort in future should
be averted by an equitable and just reduc-
ton of the revenue
On the subject of distributing the pro-
ceeds of the sales of the public lands among
the States, embraced in the second inquiry,
after alluding to the objections of the Presi-
dent, which accompanied his veto on the bill!
having distribution for its object, and which
objections met his concurrence, he says,
81 am of opinion that the avails of the pub.
lie lands will be more equitably and faithful
ly applied to the common benefit of the
United States, by their continual application
to the general wants of the Treasury, than
by any other mode that has yet been sug-
gested, and that such an appropriation is in
every respect preferable to a distribution
among the States," and that he can give no
encouragement that in the event Of his cleo
ton he will favor the distribution policy.
The third inquiry relates to the improve
ment of navigable rivers above ports of en-.
try by the general government, and is ex-
amined at considerable length, concluding
with a concurrence in the rule which the
paesent executive has adopted for his gui-
dance on this subject, which is not to assent
to such appropriations rule which it is
admitted is open to objections, but to fewer
than of any other hitherto suggested, besides
having been productive of much good in
restraining that profligate and corrupting ex-
penditure which attends an opposite policy.
In relation to chartering a Bank of the
United States his answer is copious-em.
bracing in its range the conduct of the late
u. S. Bank, the subject of the currency as
connected with it, deducting from the exam
%ination the conclusion that the reason, os-
signed for creating or chartering such an in
%stitution are unsound, and that such an insti-
tuition is not called for by any considerations
of public convenience, the healthy state of the
currency, norforthe promotion of the gener-
al good; in fine that congress has no cons.itu.
tional authority to charter such an institution,
either ii the States or the District of Colum-
bia, and that its existence is and would be
prejudicial to the best interest of the nation,
and could in no contingency receive his ap-
proval, except by an amendment of the con-
s~titution authorizing such a bank.
His reply to the last question in relation to-
expunging is brief, declaring his conviction
of the constititionality of the measure, and
that the passage of the pending resolutions
, of Mr.. Benton is demanded in Justice to a
, much injured individual, and public servant
In conclusion he declines giving any other
pledge as to the course he will pursue in the
event of his election, other than is implied in
the exposition of his views on the subject
f embraced in the inquiries p%ropounded to
!, him.
If at a future day we do not find room for
the entire document, we shall endeavor 10
give such portions as will show more fully
} his reasons for adhering to his present views
} on National subjects, as well as to show how
I, g~roundless is the stale charge of non.com.
| mitalism so often preferred against him.
Rochester Republican.
K%ENTUcKY.--It will be recollected that
tho federal naners in Kentucky claimed