The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1836-09-23
From the National Gazette.
Van ssurcn's Letter.

W danger OF committing themselves III an
swer to q ASKING question, was 70 knock
the in,errogator down. We do not perceive
that any other method is leii for Mr. Van
buren,. He Is barely out VI the hands OF
the Anti. Masoas iin regard 10 whom indeed .
he followed Lord Erskine's counsell when
he is again compelled 10 reply TO series of
inquiries from the Hon. Sherrod Williams,
of Observation-Disclosures, TO be sure, of rath /
er an dacienf dafe, they having been pro- /
pounded so early as the 9Th OF April LAST
but which the respondent has only within
few days found it proper or conreaieHs to
answer,
The points about which the querist from
Kentucky feels an interest in knowing Mr..
Van Buren's opinions, are stated IN the fol.
lowing order;
"ll. viii you (if elected President Of
the United States sign and approve bill
distributing the surplus revenue OF the Uni.
ted States to each State according To the
federal population Of each, for Internal i'm,
provements, education, aud 10 such other
pblec;s as the legislatures of the several
States may see fit 10 apply the same
I'D. Win YOU sign and approve a bill
distributing the proceeds Of the sales OF The
public lands to each State according TO the
federal population Of each, for the purposes
above specified
I'D. win you sign and approve bills
making appropriations to improve navigablc
streams above ports of entry
"4th. VIII you sign and approve (it 1t
becomes necessary to secure and save from
depreciation the revenue and finances of the
nation. and TO afford uniform sound cur
rency 10 the people Of the United Staies,l a
bill with proper notifications and restrlc.
,ions,) charterlng bank Of the United
Siatesi
/" 9th. What IS your opinion as to the
constitutional power of the Senate or House
of Representatives of the Congress OF the
United States, 10 expunse or oblteraie from
The Journals the records and proceedings OF
previons session ?"
The Vice Presidents reply occupies SIX
closely printed columns Of the Albany Ar
gus Of the 10th inst. and is pervaded BY that
implicit devotion 10 the principles and prac-
iice Of Gen. Jackson, which his adherents,
whatever else he may weld, will never per.
mi, him 10 gainsav. fle boldly and round.
~ adopts the opinions OF the great lnial-
liblc," content TO swear only al the dlctation
OF his oracle. Thus in the course Of his
reply to the first Question, the two dignita.
res, like twin yanes on the same tower,
are seen 10 veer round together together
they favored the idea Of disIribuiion-the
wlad vas then Neutrality-suspicious. their
minds were subject to change Of opinion
ii, was due north, Senator Wright can iell
the Deposit BilI--n stiff gale with yaria.
bic Withstand, in the Iull, together they
participate in the apprehensioas so exten.
svelv entertained and SO freely expressed
as to its effects:
Apprehending danger TO the Union from
the course of federal legislation upon the
subject of internal Improvements, and fear
Ing tina, il could not otherwise 6e arrested,
/ was inclined, at the COMMENCEMENT: Of
President Jacksoa's administration, to IA
ror The idea of distribution annually a.
raorg the States Of the surplus revenue, and
an amendment of the constitution comforting
on Congress authority TO make
President Jackson, entertaining similar
appreheuaons, submitted suggestions TO this
effect 10 the consideration of Congress-
They met with appreciation IN some quar-
ters, bot were denounced in others, with
extraordinary severity, as encouraging a
policy particularly unjust and ruInoUs to q
portion of the Union, and subyerslye OF the
principles upon which it was founded
Time and circumstances hare trorked chan.
ges of opinion on the subject, from uhich
my o,ra mind has not been exempted.
The President, assuming, as be was
bound BY a proper respect for the nshtu
tons of the country 10 It, that good faith
would be kept in the dealings which il au.
,horized between the federal and state 60
vemments, gare his assent TO the measure.
Iuould hare giren 10 the bill similar di.
rection, if il had become my duty to decide
on the question OF It's passage or rejection
il now remains for Public opinion, to the
efficacy Of WHICH we all have so much rea
son to look with confidence and hope, 10 de.
termine the character Of the ultimate re-
suits to be expected from ii. That the sub
lect is Of the first importance, all must nd
init, and participate fully IN the dppre
henaons so ertensirely entertained and &c
freely expressed as 10 ITS Effects"
This is certainly highly satisfactory, de-
finite and conclusive, because it eyInces that
upon this important subject, at least, the