Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1836-12-21

pose, and the banks were extending their
business and their issues SO largely as to
alarm considerate men, and render it doubt
full whether these bank credits, if permit
ted to accumulate, would ultimately be of
the least value to the Government. The
spirit OF expansion and speculation was
not confined to the deposite banks, but
pervaded the whole multitude of banks
throughout the Union, and was giving
rise to new institutions to aggravate the
evil.
The safety of the public funds, and the
interest Of the people generally, required
these operations should be checked and it
becomes the duty of every branch Of the
general and state governments 10 adopt all
legitimate and proper means to produce
that salutary effect. Under this view Of
my duty, directed the issuing of the or
der which will be laid before you by the
secretary Of the Treasury, requiring pay
mont for the public lands sold to be made in
specie, with an exception until the 18th of
the present month, in favor of actual set
Hers. This measure has produced many
sautary consequences. 1t checked the
career of the western banks, and gave
them additional strength in anticipation of
to pressure which since pervaded our cas-
tern us well as the European commercial
cities. by preventing the extension of the
credit system, it measurab!y cut off the
means Of speculation, and retarded its pro-
gress in monopolizing the most valuable of
the public lands. 1t has tended to save the
new states from the nonresident proprie.
torship, one Of the greatest obstacles to the
advancement Of new country and the
prosperity of an old one. 1t has tended to
keep open the public lands for entry by
cmigrants at government prices, instead of
their being compelled to purchase of spec
ula!ors at double or treble prices. And it
is conveying into the interior large sums Of
silver and gold, there to enter permanently
into the currency of the country, and place
it on firmer foundation. 1t is confident
ly believed that the country will find in the
motives which induced that order, and the
happy consequences which will have ensu-
ed, much 10 commend and nothing to con-
denim.
1t remains for congress, if they approve
the policy which dictated this order, to fol-
low it up to its various bearings. Much
good, in my Judgment, would be produced
by prohibiting sales of the public lands, ex:
cept to actual settlers, at reasonable re.
duction of price, and to limit the quantity
which shall be sold to them. Although it is
believed the General Government never
ought to receive any thing but the constitu.
tional currency in exchange for the public
lands that point would be of less Importance
if the lands were sold for immediate settle
ment and cultivation. Indeed, there is
scarcely mischief arising out of the pre-
sent land system, including the accumula
ting surplus of revenue, which would not be
remcdied at once by restriction on lane
sales to actual settlers; and it promises o
Their advantages TO the country in general
and to the new States in particular, which
cannot fail to receive the most profound
consideration Of Congress.
The three last columns of tho message dwell oil
the duties and responsibilities Of tho several de
partments of war, the navy, the post-ofiice, an
the treasury, &C., concluding -
Before concluding this paper, | think
due to the various Executive Department
to bear testimony TO their prosperous con
dtion, and to the ability and integrity wit
which they have been conducted. 1t ha
ll-peen my aim to enforce in all of them
}igilant and faithful discharge of the publ
business, and is gratifying for me to beiev
that there isno just cause Of complaint fror
\ Tany quarter, at the manner in which the
lhave fulfilled the objects of their creation.