The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-06-03
WHOLE NO. 657.


The sales. The mode by which this is TO be effect
ed addresses itself TO the discretion Of Congress
as the trustee Tor the States and its exercise after
The most beneficial manner, is restrained by no
thing in the grants or in the Constitution so long as
Congress shall consult that equality in the dislribu-
lion which the compacts require. In the pre-
sent condition Of some of the States the ques-
lion Of distribution may be regarded as substan-
tally aquesiion between direct and indirect tax
ation IL the distribution be not made in some
form or other, The necessity viii daily becom,
more urgent with the debtor-states for a resort 10
an oppressive system Of direct taxation, or their
credit, and necessarily their power and infu
ence, will be greatly diminished The payment
oil taxes often the most nconvenient and oppres-
sive mode, will be exacted in place of contribu-
mons Tor the most part voluntarily made and
therefore comparatively unoppressive. The
States are emphaticaly the constituents of this
Government, and we should be entirely regard
less of the objects held in view by them in the
creation OF this Government, il we could be in
different to their good The happy effects of such
a measure upon all the States, would immediately
be manifested. With the debtor States il would
effect the relief, TO great extent Of the citizens
from heavy burthen Of direct taxation, which
presses with severity on the laborng classes,
and eminently assist in restoring the general
prosperity. An immediate advance would take
attitude of the States would become once more,
as il should ever be, lofty and erect With States
laboring under no extreme pressure from debt,
the fund which they would derive from this
source would enable them 10 improve their con-
dition in eminent degree. So far as this
Government is concerned, appropriations 10 do
mestic objects approaching in amount the reve-
nue. derived from The land sales might be aban-
doned, and thus system Of unequal and there
fore unjust legislation would be substituted by
one dispensing equality to all the members Of
this confederacy. Whether such distribution
should be made directly to the States in the
proceeds Of the sales or in the form OF profits 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 consideration. Nor would such
disposition of the proceeds of the sales, in any
manner, prevent Congress from time to time
from passing all necessary pre-empton laws for
the benefit of the actual settlers-or from max
ing any new arrangement as to the price of the
public lands which might in future be esteemed
desirable.
beg leave particularly to call your attention
TO the accompanying report from the Secretary
OF War. Besides the present state of the
which has so long afflicted the Territory of Flo
rlda, and the various other matters Of interest
therein referred TO, you will learn from it that
the Secretary has instituted inquiry into
abuses, which promises to develop gross enormi-
ties in connection with Indian treaties which
have been negotiated, as well as in the expendi-
lures for the removal and subsistence of the In
dams. He represents also other irregularities
of a serious nature that have grown up in the
practice of the Indian Department, which will
require the appropriation of upwards of $780,
600 to correct, and which claim the immediate
attention of Congress.
In rejecting on the proper means of defend
ing the country, we cannot shut our eyes 10 the
consequences, which the introduction and use
of the power of steam upon the ocean are likely
to produce in wars between maratime states
We cannot yet see the extent TO which this
power may be applied in begerent operations,
connecting itself as il does with recent improve
ments in the science OF gunnery and projectiles
but we need have no fear Of being left, in re-
gard to these things, behind the most active and
skilfu of other nations, if the genius and en-
terprise of our fellow-citzens receive proper en-
enlargement and direction from Government.
True wisdom would nevertheless, seem to
dictate the necessity of placing in perfect condi-
ton those Notifications which are designed for
the protection of our principal cities and road
steads. For the defence of our extensive mari
time coast, our chief reliance should be placed
on our Navy, aided by those inventions which
are destined TO recommend themselves to public
adopton-but no time should be lost in placing
our principal cities on the sea-board, and the
lakes in state Of entire security from foreign
assault Separated as we are from the coun-
tries of the Old World, and in much unaffected
by their policy, we are happily relieved from the
necessity of maintaining large standing armies
in times of peace. The policy which was adopt
ed by Mr.. Monroe, shortly after the conclusion
of the late war with Great Britain, of preserving
regularly organized staff, sufficient for the
command of large military force, should the ne
cessity Of one arise, is founded as well in econo-
my as in true wisdom. Provision is thus made,
upon filling up the rank and file, which can
readily be done on any emergency, for the intro
ductlon Of system Of discipline, both promptly
and efficiently. All that is required in time of
peace is 10 maintain sufficient number OF men
TO guard our Notifications, 10 meet any sudden
contingency, and TO encounter the first shock of
war. Our chief reliance must be placed on the
militia; they constitute the great body of nation
al guards, and, inspired by an ardent love Of coun-
try, will be found ready al all times, and at all sea-
sons, TO repair with alacrty TO its defence. Ii will
be regarded by Congress, doubt not, at a SUIT
able time, as one of its highest duties TO attend
to their complete organization aud discipline.
The state of the Navy pension fund requires
the immediate attention Of Congress BY the
operation of the act Of the Sd Of March, 1887,
entitled san act for the more equitable admins
tration of the Navy Pension fund"-that fund
has been exhausted. II will be seen, from the
accompanying report of the Commissioner of
Pensions, that there will be required, for the
of Navy pensions, on the first of July
next, $SS, zoo 06. and on the first of January
1912, the sum of $4,000 In addition to these
sums, about $4,000 will be required to pay ar
rears of pensions which will probably be allowed
between the first of July and the first of January,
1912 making in the whole Sl63706 06 cents
To meet these payments, there is, within the
control of the Department, the sum of S2S ,04O,
leaving a deficiency of Sl39,666 O6. The
public faith requires that immediate provision
should be made for the payment Of these sums.
In order TO introduce into the Navy desira-