The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-07

The claims of our citizens against the Brazilian
government, originating from captures, and othei
causes still unsatisfed The United States have
however, so uniformly shown disposition TO cult
waite relations of amity with that Empire that Il i
hoped, the unequiyoca tokens the same spirit To-
wards rs which an adjustment fthe affairs referred
to would afford, will be given without further avoid
able delay.
The war with the Indian tribes on the peninsula oil
Florida has, during the last summer and ial been
prosecuted with uniiring activity and zeal A sum
mer campaign was resolved upon, as the best mode OF
bringing |, TO a close. Our brave officers and men
who have been engaged in that service, have suffered
tolls and priyations and exhibited an energy which
in any other war, would have won for them uniadine
laurel In despite Of the sickness incident to the c
mate they have penetrated the Businesses OF the In
dams, broken up their encampments, and harassed
them Increasingly. Numbers have been captured,
and still greater numbers have surrendered and have
been transported to join their brethren on The lands
elsewhere allotted to them by the Government and
a strong hope is entertained that, under the conduct
Of the gallant officer at the head Of the troops IN Flo
rda that troublesome and expensive war Is destined
TO a speedy termination. With all The other indian
tribes, we enjoying the blessings OF peace. Our
duty as well as our best interests, prompt us to OBJ
serve in all our intercourse with them, fidelity in
fulfilling our engagements the practice OF strict JUS
tice as well the constant exercise OF acts OF bene-
violence and kindness These are the great nstru-
ments of civilization, and through the use of them
alone, the untutored child OF the forest be IN
duced To listen TO its teachings.
The Secretary Of State, on whom the acts of Con-
gress have devoycd the duty of directing the pro-
ceedngs for the taking of the Sixth Census or emu
meraton Of the inhabitants of the United States,
will report to the two Houses the, progress Of that
work The enumeration of persons has been CON-
peted, and exhibits grand total Of 7,O69, 453 ma
king increase the Census Of $780, OF ,2O2, GAO
inhabitants, and showing gain III ratio exceeding
32s per cent for the last ten years
From the report Of the Secretary of the Treasury,
YOU will be informed of the condition of the finances,
The balance in the Treasury on the LIST Of January
last, stated in the report OF the Secretary OF the
Treasury submitted To Congress at the Extra Ses-
sion was S9S7 345 03. The receipts into the Trea-
sury during the first three quarters of this year. from
all sources, amount to So, ,072 81 The estima-
ted receipts for the fourth quarter amount to So 943,
O95 %, amounting TO S30,4l0,167 II and making,
with the balance in the Treasury, on the first OF jan
ary last s3l 1897, 5l2 so. The expenditures for the
first three quarters Of this year, amount TO S24 734,
BAG o. The expenditures for the fourth quarter, as
estimated, will amount TO ~ 900, 723 73-thus ma
king total Of S32 025070 70i and leaving deficit
TO be provided for on the first OF January next, of
about S627 ,557 80.
OF the loan of sl2 900, 900, which was authorized
by Congress al its late session, only S5432,726 IS
have been negotiated The shortness Of time which
il had to rum has presented no nconsiderable impe-
dment in the way Of its being taken by capitalists
at home while the same cause would have operated
with much greater force in the foreign market. For
that reason the foreign market has not been resored
to and il is submitted, whether 1t would not be
advisable To amend the law by making what remains
undisposed Of payable at a more distant day.
Should il be necessary, in any view that Congress
may take of the subject to revise the existing tarlf
of duties beg leave TO say, that, IN the performance
of that most delicate operation moderate counsels
would seem to be the wisest. The Government, UNI
der which il is our Happiness TO live, owes its exis-
tence to the spirit Of compromise which prevailed
among its framers-larrng and discordant opinions
could only have been rcconcied by that noble spirit
Of patriotism, which prompted Cancellation, and re-
suited in harmony. In the same spirit the compro-
mise BILL as il is commonly called, was adopted at
the session of 1888. While the people Of no portion
of the Union will ever hesitate TO pay all necessary
taxes for the support of Government yet an innate
repugnance exists to the imposition OF burtbens not
really necessary for that object In imposing duties,
however for the purposes of revenue right to dis
crimnate as the articles which the duty shall
be laid as well as the amount, necessarily and most
properly exists. Otherwise the Government would be
placed in the condition Of having TO levy the same
duties upon all articles, the productive well as the
,rnproductive. The slightest duty upon some might
have the effect of causing their importation to cease,
whereas Others entering extensively into the consmp-
ton Of the country, might bear the heaviest, with
out any sensible dminution in the amount imported.
So also the Government may be Justified IN so dis
eliminating by reference to other considerations OF
domestic policy connected with manufactures.
SO long as the duties shall be laid with distinct refer
encc to the wants of the Treasury, no well founded
objection can exist against them. II might he es-
teemed desirable that no such augmentation OF the
taxes should take place as would have the effect OF
annulling the land proceeds distribution aa Of the
last session which act is declared TO be imperative
the moment the duties increased beyond 20 per
cent, the maximum rate established by the Compro-
mise act. Some of the provisions Of the compromise
act which will go into effect on the 30th day OF June
NJ ~ mud inpn va
nient in practice under any regulations that Congress
may adopt refer particularly to that relating
TO The home valuation difference IN value Of the
same articles to extent will, necessarily, exist
al different porsbut that is altogether insignificant
when compared with the conflicts in valuation, which
are likely 10 arise, from the differences Of opinion
among the numerous appraisers OF merchandise. IN
many instances the estimates Of value must be con-
iecura and thus many different rates OF value
NAV be established as there appraisers. These
differences in valuation may also be increased by the
inclination which, without the slightest lmputa-
ton on their honesty, may arise the part of the
appraisers in favor Of their respective ports OF entry
recommend this whole subject 10 the consideration
of Congress with single additional remark Ger
tainty and permanently IN any system oil government
tai policy are in all respects, emineny desirable but
more particularly this true in all that affects trade
and commerce, the operations OF which depend much
more on the certainty of their returns, and calcua-
tions which embrace distant periods OF time, than on
high bounties duties, which are liable to constant
fluctuations.
At your late session, invited your attention TO the
condition OF the currency and exchanges, and urged
the necessity Of adopting such measures as were con-
sstent with the constitutional competency OF the
Government, in order TO correct the unsoundness OF
the one, and as far practicable the inequalities OF
the other. No country can be IN the enjoyment oil
lis full measure of prosperity, without the presence
Of a medium OF exchange, approxmahng TO unifor-
nifty of value What is necessary as between the
different nations of the earth, is also important as be-
tween the inhabitants ofdierentpars ofthe same coun-
try, with the first the precious metals constitute the chief
medium of circulation and such also would be the case
as To the last but for inventions comparatively mod
ern, which have furnished IN place OF gold and silver,
paper circulation. do not propose to enter INTO a
comparative analysis of the merits Of the two sys-
TENS. Such belonged more properly to the period OF