The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-08-04


aesrly or quite al an end The Cherokee Indians Will,
IL Ill probability emgrste TO the country assigned them
wes Of she Misssspp river without The necessity OF
| military coercion we then have only 70 keeps SUM
cent force take OF our qualifications on the sea-
coast aud protect our frontier The four artillery regi
menis are sufficient or the former purpose, sad the
eight regiments Of infantry. increased as each now is
10 aloui eight hundred aud eighty rank aud me- with the
two cavalry regiments, will be ample Tor the protection
OF the latter and the preservation of internal snquhy
| have no apprehension al this time oil any difficulty
with Mexico ia relation 10 claims on that Govern
ment or with Great Britain about the Northeastern
| boundary.
The people In many OF the non-slaseholding 81 les
continue TO press upon The consideration o. oon-
gress their petitions for the abolition u slavery 10
this District and the Territories belonging 70 the
| United States--meaning Forda--and prohioHion
| Of Carving slaves from one Slate 10 another Tor
| sale The nu Der of petitions and petitioners have
greatly increased for The last years and Will pro-
billy continue TO do So until lhee shall be had some
| defnilive action ON the subject Should question
be taken on the proposition now, have no doubt a
large majority Of both branches Of Congress would
/ be found opposed 10 interfering with the rights OF
the slaveholders either In the District Of Columbia
| In the Territory OF Florida, or In The States What
may be the final result ifthis question IS persevered
in and shall eventually be decided In fayor of the
petitioners is not difi ul, to foretel My ground
| has long since been taken, and shall not shrink
| from IT, have no promises or professions 10 make
| of what shall do or where shall be found when
4
forfeit your confidence, or prove recIeant TO your
interests and feelings shall feel that sacred trust
has been betrayed, and that am no longer worthy
to be your representative. This question Is one that
! requires ms 10 reiec upon cooy, and To ACT when
ever tciion shall become necessary, with delermna-
ton. We ought not 10 listen To precipiiaie or rash
counseors; and, ibove all things, caution You
against those who wish 10 make this political heb
/ bv for the purpose Of affecting other questions
| There are those, In our State and elsewhere, who
seem disposed to agitatc this subject every occa-
sion They affect to see abolition in evely measure
they oppose and the means OF suppressng u In every
proposition they advocate: II Is bugbear one day.
4 and hubby-horse another. Upon this question
/ the people Of the slaveholdng States ought 10 be,
and believe are, united and he who seeks TO dis
solve that union, disturb the harmony that exists,
| by mingling political topics with il, ought TO have
very little credit for political integrity or patriotism
During the late session Of Congress the subject OF
alb 1iion discussed al much length IN the senate,
on certain resolutions presented by distinguished
| Senator from South Carolina. In favor OF The prin-
cples asserted in those resolutions, except Two, there
was decided majority VI The Senate. One Of the
1 other resolutions, which most practical In It's
] character after being modified 10 several essential
| par icuiars at the instance Of Senator from Ken
| lucky, was also adopted by large majority. In This
resolution it is declared that Congress cannot, with
out breach OF the pnblic faith, abolish slavery In
the District Of Columbia and that II would be high
" mex pedieni and dangerous to do so, either there
or in The Territories longing TO the United States.
The last resolution asserting several abstract prin-
cples upon which II was not deemed necessary to
act was laid the table without any very serious
opposition In the House OF Representatives de-
i bale commenced on the subject which was arrested
by an adjournment, and the same evening meeting
OF members from the slaveholding States was held,
| at which, after much discussion, it was agreed TO
propose a resolution 10 the House TO lay every pro-
position relating to slavery The slave trade the
liable, without debate or reading It. This proposal
was made next day, and adopted by very large ma
jority During the remainder of the session the sub
i ject was never touched, except incidentally. had
not arrived in this city when these proceedings took
pace; therefore state them as being matters OF no
ioriety; but, had been present, should have con-
Cured in the course pursued by the Southern men,
4 bers.
The question Of admitting the republic Of Texas
into our confederacy was las, summer submitted in
and ali negotiation that time declined The sub
iect has been presented for consideration in both
\ branches OF Congress, but without any final action
Congress shall ever be fully expressed on that ques-
ton, they will be adverse TO the annexation. Il is
subject Of great irnponance and, whenever il shall
be acted on in .he House Of Representative. will
questions Of the greatest drcscy in relation 10
foreign policy and domestic insitulions and will
probably exercise material influence the future
| course Of affairs in this country.
Il would he very agreeable TO If the limits Of this
address would permit my entering somewhat into detail
in the examination Of the expenditures Of the present
snd last administration but that investigation will re-
quire more time than can devote to it, and will better
come under the cognzance Of committee Of Congress-
which hope at distant period see orgsnized for
the purpose, in such manner will insure thorough
| examination. You will find hereto annexed coinmn-
nica,ion from the Treasury Department. showing the
expenditures different years since 1923 You will
fail be struck with the rapid increase after Gen
Jackson into Office, in March, 1929 He came
in as the avowed advocate Of rerenchment in the pub
lie expenditures, and the reforner Of abuses The re-
suits before you. The expenses Of the Government
eight years increased from sbout thirteen mil
4 lions Of dollars per upwards Of thirty millions;
and in the first year Of the administration Of the pre-
sent Chief Magistrate the expenditures have increased
more than two millions aud a half Of dollars upon the
last Of that predecessor whose footsteps he Processes
TO tread The appropriations required TO be made by
Congress the last session, and actually made
as well as can now estimate them 10 nearly thirty
eight millions Of dollars There is to be no retrench-
this year, although the Treasury is nearly empty,
and the Government actually using its credit by
ing its pronissory notes, payable year after date,
bearing interest at six per cent. until paid. 1t is often
asserted BY the supporters Of the that
ought be responsible for the expenditures of the
Government, because Congress makes the appropra-
tons. II is true Congress does make the appropra-
tons, but they founded estimates Of what is
cessary sent from the various Departments and il not
unfrequently happens when the opponents Of the adj
object to the extravaganza OF the expendi-
lures that they are reproached with wishing to embar
rass the Government; and when Treasury notes were
voted by millions the wings have cen charged with
wishing to stop the necessary supplies and threatened
with revolution and mobocratic violence Every means
have been attempted TO ferret the abuses and
travagsnce Of those power, but they have been
defeated evaded. II hoped the day is distant
when there will be majority the House Of Repre-
sentatiyes who will demand that the doors Of the va
Executive Departments shall be opened and full
aud free examination made by the of the
people Il will then probably be seen what has been
| done with the tubic On the list of January.