, 1840-06-06

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Union, and several new Territories had beer
created. An additional impetus had beer
given TO the public defences in the increase
OF the army and navy-wars with severa
Indian tribes had intervened-vast purchase.
OF Indian lands had been effected-whole
tribes, nay, whole nations Of Indians. hac
been removed, and removed to vast distance
and at a vast expense. This latter expendi
ture was chiefly for the benefit of the South
and West; but where is the man in any
quarter Of the Union that can stand up and
condemn it9
Sir, admit an increased expenditure; and
far from concealing, | exhibit and' proclaim,
it. ! display the items; they are spread on
point them out TO the country. ! say they
will be found, principally, in the navy-in
the army-in The Indian departmental the
pensions-in the lighthouse establishment
in Indian wars-in the defence of the from.
tiers. North and West-in fortifca,ions-in
preparing arms and munitions Of WARM the
legislative department-in permanent and
durable fire proof public buildings-and in
assuming the foreign debt, and making other
expenditures for the District of Columbia
In these branches of the service will the in.
creases he principally found, and | supported
them all excep, the increase for pensions,
harbors, some of the lighthouses, and the
book printing part of the legislative expen.
ses. supported all except these: but the
gentlemen of the Opposition supported all
that | did, and these besides; and now 60
forth to raise a cry Of extravaganza!
Mr.. b. said the Opposition not only voted
for these increased expenditures, but in some
instances greatly augmented them. This
was the case in the Indian expenditures, and
especially among the Cherokees. The Op-
position sat themselves up for the guardians
of these Indians: they seemed To make politi-
cal alliance with them. The Indians became
parties TO our politics: the Opposition became
allies to them and the result was double
trouble, and double expense, and double de-
lays. anddoub.e yesati4p @,fErEy otiad. WITH
force to compel them 10 comply with treaties
which gave them millions more than they
ought 10 have received.
The Opposition not only voted TO-. all the
increases. and caused some OF them TO he
augmented, but they attempted many enor.
nous expenditures which the Democratic
members opposed and prevented. Let any
one look to the bills which were rejected,
either in the Senate or in the House of Rep
reseatatives; lei any one look to the number
these bills, and the tens of millions, in the
aggregate, with which they we're ireighted.
and then say what the expenses would have
been If the Opposition had been in power.
One Of these bills alone, the French Spoliation
was for five millions of dollars, others
were for vast SUNS, especially the harbor
bills. They were rejected by the votes Of
members; and if they had not
oeen--if they had passed-they would have
'welled the thir,y-seven 10 near fifty millions;
md would have been charged upon us as
reckless, wasteful, horrible extravaganza.
Mr.. B. SAID that financial statements were
dificu subject to handle-hard for a speak
n to understand himself, and harder still 10
make himself 10 be understood by others. 1t
vas 4 point at which the most unlounded im-
,~ressions nigh! be made on the public mind
m which the greatest errors might be propa-
,ated. Yet it vas Il point on which correct
Information should be disseminated-on
which every citizen should be informed
which every one should mike it his business
0 understand. Economy should be the
ardinal virtue of a free government, and
he whole body of the citizens should be the
uardians Of that virtue. They should guard
ne national finances; and for that purpos,
houId understand them. They should know
ow much money was raised, for what purpose, {
nd how expended. They could not be too
,alous of the misapplication Of the public |
loneys; they could not scrutinize too close /
the public accounts. Those accounts {
ould not be too often presented TO them, S
or in a form too simple and obvious. 1t has S
cen my endeavor, said Mr.. B. both in call
g for the statements which had just come q
from the Treasury, and in what | have S
id upon them, to present the difficult sub. /
ct of our finances in a plain, obvious, and n
teIIigibIe form. My object has been to elu. f
date, and not to mystify-to enlighten, O
I'd not to confuse. have endeavored TO il
resent a full, plain, and authentic statement
the public expenditures; such as every d
can see and comprehend. Our adj Fl
present an aggregate-rush at the Fl
and endeavor to alarm, or to enrage, C
e people. / present the particulars, and a
k for their deliberate judgment. Sir, Ii
we confidence in the capacity OF my coun. ly