Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1842-08-27

the land sales available TO the treasury,as the
basis of public credit. did not think that
could stand excused, much less justified,
before the people Of the United States, not
could | reconcile it to myself, to recon-
mend The imposition Of additional taxes up
on them. urging the employment Of all the
legitimate means Of the Government TO-.
wards satisfying its wants. These opin.
IONS we're communicated in advance Of any
definitve action of Congress on the subject
either OF the tariff or land sales, under a
high sense OF public duty, and in compIl-
ance with an express Injunction OF the
Constitution; so that il collision Tex
tremel y TO be deprecated as such collisions
always are) has seemingly arisen between
the Executive and Legislative branches OF
the Government, it has assuredly not been
owing to any capfcious interference, or to
any want OF plain and frank declaration oil
opinion on the part of the former. Con-
gress differed in its views with those Of the
Executive, as it had undoubtedly right to
do; and passed bill virtually for a time re-
pealing the provso Of the act of the 4lh oil
September, l84l. The bill was returned to
the House in which it originated, with my
objections to its becoming a law. With a
view to prevent, if possible. an open disa-
greement of opinion on point 81 impor-
tant, took occasion to declare that | regar-
ded it as an indispensable prerequisite OF an
increase OF duties above 90 per cent, that
the act Of the 4th September should remain
unrepeaed in its provisions. My reasons
for that opinion were deliberately set forth
in the message which accompanied, the re.
turn of the bill-which no constitutional
majority appears to have been found for
passing into law.
The bill which is now before me propo-
ses, in its 9th section, the total repeal Of
one of the provisos in the act of Septem.
Der, and, while it increases the duties above
90 per cent, directs an unconditional distrl-
button Of the land proceeds. ] am, there
fore, subjected Il second time, in the pc
rod OF few days, TO the necessity of Ell
Their giving my approval to measure which.
in my deliberate judgment, is in conflict
with great public interests; or Of returning
it to the house in which it originated, with
my objections. With all my anxiety for
the passage of law which would repIenish
an exhausted Treasury, and furnish a sound
and healthy encouragement to mechanical
industry, | cannot consent to do so at the
sacrifice Of the peace and harmony of the
country; and the clearest convictions of
public duty.
For some of the reasons which have
brought me to this conclusion, refer to my
previous message to Congress, and briefly
suboin the following:
/. The bill unites two subjects, which, so
far from having any affinity to one another,
are wholly incongruous in their character.
It's both revenue and an appropriation bill
1t thus mE oses on the Executive, in the first
place, the necessity of either approving
that which he would reject, or rejecting
that which he might otherwise approve
This is species of constraint to which the
judgement of the Executive ought not, in
my opinion, to be subjected. But that is
not my only objection to the act in its pres,
ent form. The union of subjects wholly
diSSiml!ar in their character in the same bill
II 1t grew into practice. would not fail 10
lead TO consequences destructive of all wise
and conscientious legislation. Various
iilt'lSu1 tSs CdCll tEuUt6 OllIN ~ SIllI
nority, might, by beng thus united, land
the more, the greater chance Of success.)
lead to passing laws, of which no sing
provision could, if standing alone, command
majority in its favor.
?. While the Treasury is in a state Of
extreme embarrassment, requiring every
dollar which it can make available; and
when the Government has not only to lay
additional taxes but 10 borrow money to
meet pressing demands; the bill proposes 10
give away a fruitful source OF revenue
which is the same thing as raising money
by loan and taXation--not to meet the
wants of the Government, but for distribu.
ton; proceeding which | must regard as
highly impolitic, if not unconstitutional.
A brief review Of the present condition Of the
public finances will serve to illustrate the true
condition OF the Treasury, and exhibit its actual
necessities. On the 5th of August, Friday last,)
there was in the Treasury, in round num-
bers, $3.50 900
Necessary to be retained to
meet trust funds, $36O,0OO
Interest on public debt due
in October $4,000
l redeem treasury notes
and pay the interest, 100000
Land distribution under the
act Of the 9TH of Sep.
TENDER, 1841, $4,000
$l,l8O,OOO
Leaving an available amount Of S97O,OOO
The Navy department had drawn acquisitions
on the Treasury, at that time, to meet debts act