Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1839-02-06


and towards the detraying the ordinar,
expenses of the government, the condi
tions of the eompacts made with the pro,
prieior states may be regarded to havs
been faithfully observed. But new
condition ofthines had their origin in som,
few years after the ratification OF the trca.
~ of peace. The wonderful develop.
mont of the productive faculties Of the
country, exhibiting iiseIfin the large nd.
dition made TO tie exports, and the con-
sequen. extraordinary increase of the i'm
port from abroad, aided by the high dus
ties from time 10 time levied ON those I'M
ports, caused to flow into the public treas
ury stream OF revenue greatly exceed
ing the demands of the government, eth.
er for the redemption Of the public debt
or for the payment ofthe ordinary ex-
penses. A large surplus beyond its ac-
tual wants was thus annually received in.
to 1t public treasury, aud the principle
Of equality in Its distribution among the
States was for long period entirely lost
sight OF. Large sums were lavshed on
particular States, while all participation
IN the benefits OF u common fund, raised
as well from the sales Of the public lands
as from duties ON imports, was denied 10
other States of the confederacy, except
| upon conditions with which they found ii
impossible to comply. The money arts.
ing from tho sales Of the public lands was
mixed up with all other monies in the
treasury. and consequence received the
same unequal application and direction
| Nor were those expenditures made by
drafts upon the public fisc exclusively.
The public lands thus set apart by solemn
compacts, as common fund for the benz
eft Of all the States, have been granted
! by Congress in large quantities to sever.
al OF the States while no corresponding
grants have peen made 10 others. Those
grants, other than the grants made for
common schools, and which have amour
ted 10 upwards OF 1000, 600 of acres, ex
coed three millions Of acres notwith.
standing thai the said States have recev.
ed under their compacts with tho United
States, upon being admitted into the
union, 3 per cent. upon tho sales OF
! lands within their limits, aud which has
amounted 10 upwards OF 50 ,000, 900, Ia
be applied 10 the construction Of roads
within the sane.
| Nor can the committee perceive any
just grounds for believing that the course
heretofore pursued BY the government, in
the appropriation ofthe governmental rev.
cpues, is lIlcley to be changed in future,
| Immense sums are still annually appropri.
ated for purposes in which many of the
States Of the l,.aon have no interest what
ever. 1t would be both curious and in.
slructye, II ii was possible for the Com
mttee 10 Go So to follow out the expend-
lures Of the Government for a series Of
years, and TO exhibit an estimate oi the
ben fits derived by each of tie States from
such expenditure. J our Committee do
not desire To be understood us referring TO
those expenditures which are plainly cal
led for TO meet the regular operations Of
the government, but to those extraordipa.
rs appropriations which are annually made
for objects not specifically designated BY
the Constitution. 1t has already been
said tbat the moneys derived from the
sales Of public lands arc mixed up in the
Treasury with all other moneys, and must
necessarily bear rate0blc proportion 10
such other funds, in all public expoudi-
lures. Although they noM intoihe Trea-
sury through a different channel from that
Which is followed by other streams ORE
venue, yet they are received into the same
common reservoir, where their distinctive
character is lost, ami flow out again in
one uniform current. Suffice il to say,
that Virginia has participated IN none 81
these expenditures TO un cxten: OF much
Importance. The reasons for this II is
not necessary TO assign. Should she not
now desire 10 be admitted to the enjoy
ment Of her rights under her compac, with
Congress BY that compact she is fair
| ~ entitled to an equality Of benefit arising
from the sales Of the public lands. She
will seek the attainment OF that object by
all fair and honorable courses. While tie
public debt was in progress Of payment,
she manifested no wish to divert dollar
of The public income from that important
object. But that debt is now extingush-
ed. The other sources Of revenue are
more than sufficient to supply all the le-
climate and proper wants OF the govern
ment unoer wise and economical admin.
stration Of iis affairs. Why, then, should
her lairproportion Of the moneys derived
from The sales ofpnhic lands be denied 10
herl Your committee Is unable TO per-
ceive any sound objection 70 this but, on
the contrary, drawing It's uugury Tor the
future from the past, il considers this Ge-
neral Assembly as bound by the highest
considerations Of State and general policy
to urge the measure of distribution upon
Congress. The subject ofihe public lands
il one Gf fearful import, not only 10 the