The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1841-06-18
NUMBER 4.


tcnancc of the states in condition the
most free and respectable, and in the full
possession of all their power, l cannot
otherwise than feel DESTROYS for their
emancipation from the situation 10 which
the pressure of their finances now subjects
them. And while | must repudiate, as a
measure founded in error and wanting
constitutional sanction, the slightest APP
proach to an assumption, by this govern
men., of the debts of the states, yet can
see, in the distribution adverted 10, much
to recommend it. The compacts between
the proprietor states and this government;
expressly guarantee TO the states all the be:
nefts which may arise from the sales.
The mode by which this is to be effected
addresses itself to the discretion of con-
gress as the trustee for the states, and its
exercise, after the most beneficial manner,
is restrained by nothing in the grants or
in the constitution, SO long as congress
shall consult that equality in the distribu-
ton which the compacts require.-In the
present condition of some of the states the
question of distribution may be regarded
as substantially a question between direct
and indirect taxation. If the distribution
be not made in some form or other, the
necessity will daily become more urgen.
with the dcbtor-states, for resort to an
oppressive system of direct taxation, OF.
their credit and necessarily their power
and influence, will be greatly diminished.
The payment of taxes, often the most
inconvencnt and oppressive mode, will
be cxactcd in place of contributions for the
most part voluntarily made, and therefore
comparatively oppressive.
The states are emphatically the consti-
tuents of this government, and we should
be entirely regardless of the objects held
in view by them, III the creation of this
government, if we could be indifferent to
their good. The happy effects of such a
measure upon all the states would imme-
dialely be manifested. With the debtor
states, it would effect the relief, to great
extent of the citizens, from burthcn Of
direct taxation, which presses with seve-
rity on the laboring classes, and cminen,ly
assist in restoring general prosperity. An
immediate advance would take place in
the price of state securities, and the atti.
tude of the states would become, as it
ever should be, lofty and erect. With
the states laboring under no extreme
pressure from debt, the fund which they
would derive from this source would cna-
bic them TO improve their condition in an
eminent degree. So far as this govern
mcnt in concerned, appropriations TO do
nestle objects, approaching in amount
the revenue derived from the land sales,
might be abandoned, and thus system of
unequal and therefore unjust legislation
would be subverted by one dispensing
equality TO all the members of the conle-
deracy. Whether such distribution should
be made directly to the states in the pro-
cecds of the sales, or in the form of pro-
fits by virtue of the operations of any fiscal
agency having those proceeds as its basis,
should such measure be contemplated by
congress, would well deserve its consider
alton. Nor would such disposition of
the proceeds of the sales, in any manner,
prevent congress, from time to time, from
passing all necessary prc-cmption laws
for the benefit of the actual settlers, or
from making any new arrangement as to
the price Of the public lands which might
. 4 4 4
Uar Department..
| beg leave particularly to call your
attention to the accompanyingrcport from
the secretary of war. Besides the pres
cn' state OF the war which has so long
afflicted the territory of Florida, and the
various other matters of interest therein
referred to, you will learn from it that the
secretary has instituted an inquiry into
abuses, which promises to dcveopc gross
enormtles in connection with Indian
treaties which have been negotiated, as
well as in the expenditures for the reno
val and subsistence of the Indians. He
represents also other Irregularities of 4
serious nature that have grown up in the
practice of the Indian department, which
will require the appropriation of upwards
of 100000 10 correct, and which claim
the immediate attention of congress.
In rejecting on the proper means Of
defending the country, we cannot shut
our eyes to the consequences which the
introduction and use of the power Of
steam on the ocean are likely to produce
in wars between maritime states. We
cannot yet sec the extent 10 which this
power may be applied in belligercnt ope;-
atoms, connecting itself as it does with
recent Improvements in gunnery and pro-
icctilcs: but we need have M fear Of be-
ing left, in regard 10 these things, ifthe
genius and enterprise of our iellow-cit-
zcns receive proper encouragement and
direction from government.
Erup wisdom would nevertheless.