Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1840-03-06
prOceeds of,be sales Of The public lands.


vised 10 him by his father.
II appears 10 me even at this time, ouI
State very much needs her proportion oil
this fund, and that in a short time we shall
be much more in want OF IL
Your honorable body may be satisfied
that majority OF our citizens are willing
TO relinquish their interest in this fund. bu,
am not so satisfied. and as Senator in Con.
gress. will not do any act by which such
an idea is TO be sanctioned
Il may be in the course Of a very short
time, tina, this fund will be indispenssbly
necessary to save our citizens from heary
taxation, and should never forgive myself
il by yielding TO your Instructions did an
act which produced serious injury to the
people. who have SO long honored me with
their confidence.
BY the last clauses in your fourth rvsolu-
ton, am instructed 10 vote for graduating
the price OF the public lands, and for grant
ing pre-, empiion rights to occupants
These instructions correspond with the
opinions | have maintained and acted on,
therefore, should find no difficulty in con-
forming 10 your wishes 10 relation 10 them.
In the fifth resolution. your Instructions
are 10 vote for and use all fair and proper
exsrtions to procure the passage Of law
repeating the duties on imported salt"
This subject has been before the Senate
on several occasions since | have been a
member. and my votes have ever been in ia
vor Of removing this duty. and should still
conform my conduct TO my settled convic.
lion, that my past course on this subject has
been correct.
In your sixth resolution you state, that
you heartily approve the Trading measures
and policy Decentralization Of Andrew
Jackson and Martin Van Buren,. and" in
s,rdet "your Senators 10 support in good
faith. the leading measures and policy. as
brought forward and advocated by the pres
emf President of the United States. and 10
use all fair and proper exertions TO carry
out, sustain and accomplish The same.
The phraseology Of this resolution is so
general and indefinite. that am not sure
comprehend the meaning Of yonr honorable
body but believe You intend that shall
support all the leading measures OF the
Chief Magistrate. as we'll as those hereafter
to be brought forward as those heretofore
recommended.
To instructions Of this description. I
could not with property, pay any attention
whatever
Our fathers and statesmen believed they
bad done much towards the security ofciviI
liberty, when. by the Constitution, they dlvi-
ded the great powers conferred into three
Departments, each, ia its sphere. indep-nd.
ent ofthe other two. These were the Leg
islativr. the Executive. and the Judicial.
1.-THE powers Of any two Of these De-
parments should be placed in the same hnnds
the whole machinery Of the Government
10 destroyed. and the checks inleI posed are
removed
You instruct your Senators TO conform
their votes on all the leading measures, 10
the will OF the President. who is at the head
OF the Executive Department II you have
Alright to give such instructions. and your
Senators are bound to obey. every other
Legislature in the Union has the same right.
and their Senators would be equally bound
10 yield obedience.
Why no! lie. the President at once make
the law and then execute i,2 II We are
bound 10 vote as he recommends, il is a
solemn mockery to consult Us at ALL The
law would not be the will ofthe Senate. but
the will Of the President BY this process
the whole Legislative power would b~
yielded up and surrendered 10 the Execu-
tive
| nave been educnted to believe, that con.
finned walchiulness. and constant jealousy
ofihose in power. are essential 10 the preser.
valon OF liberty.
Your honorably body would now teach
me different lesson. and instead OF being
sentinel on the watchtower, 10 guard the