Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-08-24

Their view of il which am bound TO take in the con-
necion, and it this Congress lay and collect
taxes, duties, mposts and eXcses and distribute the
money TO the States because the power money
in that way expressly limited "to pay the debts and
provide for the common defence and general welfare
Of The U. s., but when the money has been expended
in building ships, FORTS other works OF defence, the IL
IMITATION the Cons has been fulfilled the ships
the f7ts or whatever else, become the "propery OF
The country, and upon the principle contended for by
the honorable chairman subject TO any disposition
which the unlimited discretion oil Congress may choose
10 make of them, under the constitutional grant oil
power "to dispose of and make all neediul rules and
gnations respecting the territory and other property be
longing TO the U. s. The ships the trrts, the arms
therefore of the u. S. NAV be exposed tosae, as well
The public lands, 10 fund Tor distribution
and tins exercise of power well as that 10 borrow
money, may, according 10 this Argument, be brought IN
ard 0! ms corrupt and corruptng policy, whe Inc Tax
in r1ycr must follow caci make good the rum pro-
dnced, or the debt contracted.
Is It possible that such is the system Of Government
which our noble fathers Of the Revolution, and the
sages Of the Convention Of 7S7, intended 10 bequeath
to us Did they, in glorious Constitution, intend
to provide that Congress should not lay taxes for The
direct benefit Of the separate States but that the money
collected from taxes should first be converted into ships,
or forts, arms, for the defence, and tn II
that those ships, and forts and should be again
converted into money to be distributed I" the States
Did they intend to deny 10 Congress the right to lay
and collect taxes for dstrhutlon and expressly grant
The power "to borrow money the credit Of the v.
). for that purpnse' Can Senators reconcile their
minds 10 absurdties nonstrnus To sustain policy 50
suicidal both to the States and the Union,
As It IS not my intention 10 protract this argument
upon this occasion, @iil leave II here and turn my
attention more Immediately 10 the amendment under
cons Iteration.
The proposition is 10 pledge the public lands 10 the
public drirnces Of tie country, naval and military, as
lbnttn of HI, eaIa ut
sales Of those lands to the States.
Upon this subject Of the public deences ! desire
to glance al The past, and what has been the
action Of men and q" parties in former years and espe-
Gully when Treasury was full. Then there was
party. very smull party it true, here no sought
TO crowd defensive works, and TO sink our sur
plus of revenue far rs it could be properly done
them ] member of that party, and went
with il. Propositions were made Ia this body on
the subject Of The notifications, which called for APP
preparations large 10 be branded with the charge
Of extravaganza; and gave votes upon them which J
presume may have subjected me 10 that charge before
my constituents and the country. My reasons for my
course were, that our dricnc,s in backward
STATE and required large expenditures that the country
had the money! and every interest," public and private,
called for lis expenditure, 10 prevent dangerous and
hutiul ACCOMMODATIONS in The banks, and that there was
no lime favorable for the construction OF forca-
tons snd other works of defence, when the Trea
sury n, and the country prosperous and al peace
with all the world.
Stll! this policy did not prevail, and why? Because
this very policy Of distribution nIcrposed itself II
was not t.rn termed distribution, but depos: but We
are now told BY lis ien strongest advocates that they
intenGcd it distribution, in fact and only gave II
the and form Of deposi,c to secure us success
IL did succeed and while the appropriations OF $3.50
for our public dcfences military and naval, were rather
under Than over the general average IN amounts, Ia"
.yas passed q ch carried from the National Treasury
t.a,f u-at ,n iyht tulli IN N
Of dollars amount than sufficient 10 have en-.
tir,ly completed our whole system Of land deiences
upon Il plan more extensive than any one now thinks
Of adopting.
THIS vas not all. AT The following session Of Con-
gress . usual fertilization bill entirely sunk and
lost because it not permitted 10 carry through
his body rs a rider upon it, further provision Tor
Distribution 10 the States. Thus, and for such rem
SON. the entire appropriation for Notifications, for the
session al I:;G1 wholly failed and The present Sc
cre,ary cfW War was the individual who, III the other
branch Of Congress- proposed the rider, and thus caused
The de ,ruclion Of the bill.
Now when our Treasury is empty when we are
hor,owino money and imposing taxes and when the
Republican members contend for limited appropriations
ts officer comes FORWARD with his report, recommend
iuu larger immediate appropriation Tor iorthcauons,
Ia he made at this special session of Congress, than the
over,ve amount heretofore annually appropriated Tor
Ina, object; and in addition TO this, presses upon Con
gtess The necessity Of adopting without delay, ana OIL
vigorously prosecuting system oil land helehces aohe
which he says will require an expenditure OF more lan
twelve millions Of dollars
orac CONCENTRATIONS this branch OF expenditure, 10
down our debt and tighten taxation, are to be set
dow, NJ uarsmonous, indifferent 10 the defence OF
,L country and Doubt not shall be one OF those who
wil lie snhiect.d 10 such charges MY course, now
ercr has been and shall continue TO be PLAIN ana easily
> x,o,ncd. When The money was IN the Treasury, !
a t,,f I,n i.la 10
awov 10 The States, and 50 voted Not so win 'n"se
,rhn farored The former distribution They withheld
tho money from the dciences TO save It Tor dis"u'
un, v,ll j, be between the parties now: We have
;oa;n The same alternative presented 10 US. ne o''
n,osos 10 riye away 10 the States the proceeds 81
The sales Of the public lands, ami Inc ailenonen'
,,.s n sci apart, pledge and appropriate those mo-
, 10 ,be public driences. cannot hesitate III my
o,.,o any more than can doubt as to my constt"'
.n,l Iu,y The moneys the property oil the ui'oh'
,rLe Treasury of the Union requires their use IL re-
c,;ras Them To carry the system OF deiences Meets
sary for the safety and protection OF Tue on,o"
ro frced to debate the question here whether eoh-
sc ,r,ll make this disposition OF them, or VIII give
ss,. quay Il is admitted on all hands, II THESE pro-
aaads he taken from the common Treasury, an eiha,
80, NJ money must he raised by loans or taxes ano
,nrned 10 that Treasury to supply the deficiency IN =
which will thus be created, ana yet 'he W. ho
nryalv entertained and discussed, whether u pe ',e
49,, ~ Congress 10 give away the proceeds OF lhe
ands and lay the taxes to retain the money ana
secatc vigorously and efficiently our systems :" 'r
,;onal defence Upon such questions cannot enter
tain doubts. r. ,,.,,o.s no, ror
sed unon us from the proper Official quarters there
would be greater seeming ProP''ety ~ The cou'se
which the friends of this distribution bill propose 10
n,rsue : and really, while do not mean 20 h"he -
mark which can have personal bearing III any o. .
oo hope that the eUu~ % when w h iSey
tam perfect confidence in the sincerity WIN WIFE, ,n IN;
nress their proposed systems of defence ana ,r ,'d
mediate and urgent necessity if they reee, ann h
ment Of this character and by the passage o ,ne u
give away the only which the IreasuTy ,S can
snare to carry out their defensive policy W" sney
not, by such action lay the foundation inr poss 10a
snsplcon that the public deiences are WIN
er Of talk while the distribution of the pnnl'c J" n
Which should be expended upon ,hcm' the real 00
JeI' nronose Mr. President, briefly to examine Inc m
eess Of nv own State in reference to the adopdm =,
rejection Of this amendment, though u has nv
nv habit to discuss very extensively here her interests
touching any subject of national legislation as sepa'a-
led from the general interests OF the whot
.,b; u1yHalf to sucN cnnTSt