Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1836-08-29

hfWtAthfdtFc ~ "'SftM from me Nf6ft ~
heataehg:
SR-l embrace the earliest convenient mo-
mcn,, after The adjournment, of CONGRESS. 10 five
YOU my opinions and views" on the ynrion.
subjects To which nv attention was called by ,onr
letter of 9Th o, April last
The first of these subjects relates 10 the propric-
~ of law for the distribution of the surplus rcvc-
nue. of the United States among the States. accor-
ding To their federal populations for Internal inn
provemcnts, education, aud such other objects ms
the Legislatures OF the States may see fit To apply
the same
In my opinion, Congress- does not possess the
power under the Constitutions to raise noney tor
distribution among the States; and If "A distinction
can be maintained between raising money lor.sneh
purpose, and the distribution of AN unexpected
SURPLUS lot which am not sati,iedO | think IL
ought not To he attempted without previous n
mendmcnt of the Constitution, defining the author
,y aud regulating it, exercise. Apprehcndnc
danger 10 the mon from the course oi Eedrral le-
pi>ltion upon the subject of Internal improve
menis and fearing that il could not otherwise he
arrested, was inclined, at the commencement OF
President Jackson's Administration, To favor the
idea of a distribution among the States, of the sur
plus revenue, and an amendment of the Constitu-
ton comforting ON Congress authority 10 make H.
President Jackson, entertaining similar appfohci-
SlonS submitted suggestions to tins effect 10 the
consideration oi Congress- The, met with ap-
probation in some quarters, hu, were denounced IN
others, with extraordinary severity, as cnconra.
eiog policy particularly unjust and rninons 10 a
portion of the uion, and >ubNcrsivc of the prin-
eiples upon which it founded. Time aud cir.
cumstanccS have worked changes OF opinion ON
the subject, from Whchmv own mind has mol been
exempted. The intelligence aud patriotism OF the
people proved adequate TO the desired reform, in
tie LEGISLATION of Congress- upon the snhIcct oi IN
tcrnal improvements. without rcSorting To the pro-
posed distribution and the experience ol the last
session has fully satisfied me OF the improprcty Of
such measure. " Tho support of the State
Governments in all their rights, as The most com.
potent administration of our domestic concerns,
and the surc, bulwlrhS against anti-rcpnbean
tendencies :" and " the preservation Of the Cen
cral Government, in its whole constitutional ,ieor,
aS the sheet anchor Of our peace at home and sale
IL abroad =" were described hy MI Jefferson is IL
monn the essential prinriplr> Of oar governments
which oneM always to shape it> administration.
The experience OF more tnlu Thirty years his
alle>ird the Justice aud i,lom ul these sentiments
and it bChooVcs those who are entrusted with
The managcmcmt Of public affairs, 10 beware how
they DISREGARD the .,lmouion They who e5n
vet allow thcmsrlvc, 10 hope that these great pin
cinlc, can be maintained under the operata1 Of Il
ny oi the proposed systems Of distributions have
looked upon the sgn uf thc times IN a Different Iiaht
from myself LII uy firm conviction, thu any
system by which distribution is made amnne the
States. of moneys collected bv the Federal Go