Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1842-01-15
REPORT UPON THE FISCAL
AGt,NV

AGENT.
HE SECRETARY OF THE Treasury, in
compliance with the resolution of the House
OF Representatives Of the 5th inst, has
the honor OF submitting the draughl Of II
blli Tor the establishment Of Il Board OF Elk
ciiequer at the seat of Government. with "A.
gehcies IN the several States and Terrific
ries.
In preparing this bill, it has been his in
tention 10 keep within, and TO fill up, the
general outline of the measure, as proposed
IN the Message of the President at the a.
pen'ng ot he session; but he does not fiat
ter hmsel! that it vii! be found so perfect
IN lis details us not TO require notifications
and careful revision by the two Houses OF
the Legislature.
As this measure has, necessarily, been
Tor some time under the consideration of the
1tsSident and his constitutional advisers.
The undersigned is directed by him to ac.
company the bill with general exposition
OF The views entertained by him, and con.
Cured IN by them, respecting 1t.
ia what manner and under what securi.
ties the public money shall be kept; in what
manner, or whether in any manner, this
Government shall attempt to supply a sound
paper medium Tor payments to the Treas
ury and TO: the general uses of the People
IN what manner, or whether in any manner,
il shall attempt to benefit the general bust
ness of the country, by furnishing facilities
OF exchange, are questions which have not
ceased to agitate the community for eight
years.-Upon these questions much oppo.
sition o! opinion has prevailed, and ardent
and intense political controversies and
struggles have been founded. 1t is time
that this state OF things were brought to an
end. 1t is time that such provisions were
made for the custody Of the revenue rs that
the People may feel that the public trea-
sures are safe. 1t is time, too, thai, in re-
lation to currency and exchange, indivId-
uaIs may know what they have to expect,
or whether they may expect anything from
the measures of Government. Doubt and
uncertainty in this respect constitute the
worst of all conditions. They affect every
mans means oil living. and, instead of CIV
ing encouragement, and applying stimu-
lus to individual exerlion and effort, check
the hand OF industry, suppress the spirit of
enterprise, and bring stagnation and para
lysis upon the productive powers OF the
country. On subjects so vitality connected
with mems personal and domestic welfare,
the People have right to require that what
is to be done should be done without fur
Their delay, IN order that they may accom-
modale themselves to the policy of the
Government. whatever that policy may be,
and be repaired to give a corresponding
direction to their Owl industry and business.
The great want OF the country is the want
of confidence: confidence in the steadiness
and stability OF the policy OF the Govern
ment; confidence in that which regulates
the value ot property and the wages of la
Dor; aud confidence in the establishment
and preservation of the necessary and or
binary means of exchanging production a.
gaInst production, and of buying and sci
ling with security, so that the intercourse
between different parts Of :he, country may
be carried on with its former activity and
ss.-The object of the plan sug
gested 10 Congress in the Presidents mes
sage, and now presented for its conSdera-
ton in the form of bill, is to establish
this confidence, and to give the counlr!
tranquility. 1t is designed to terminate
contentious of long standing, and to re.
store that peace, quiet. and satisfaction
with the state o, public affairs, without
which men cannot pursue THEN vocatlonS.
either with cheerIulness or with SurceSS.
Amidst the conflict of widely differing o.
pInions, a measure is recommended which
avoids extremes on both sides. 1t proposes
less. far less, than many think it desirable
that Government should do, or attempt 10
do, aud at the same time Tar more than 9th
srs are ready TO recommend. 1t aims at
lust mediums common ground. on whlct,
those may consistently stop who might vel
wish to go further, Il to which they may nd.
vance without seli.reproach who would new
erlbeiess have desired TO TALL short of ii. II
does not attempt to cellect,a capital by pri-
yate subscription, Tor the general purpose
Of loans and discounts, and therefore does
not propose TO perform The ordinary tune
lions of bank. On the other hand, 1t does
not propose to lock up the public moneys
from the time of collection TO the time OF
disbursement, nor to demand specie pay
ment for every debt due to the Government;
making no attempt, at the same time, I"
furnish the country with either curr"nc!
or exchange, and entirely con'ening ''Sel'
with securing specie payments into the
Treasury. In these respects, II differs from