Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-04-07
MNSsAGE
OF THE PRESIDENT OF TmE U. STATES
TO The Senate and House Of Representatives. q
lie Iniieh NIt,es.

ave oh WoIc tnan one occasion Tel, IL my duty to
resS upon Congress the necessity of providing |
no Government with the means of discharuin,r
Is debts and maintaining inviolate the public |
aith, the increasing euibarrassments Of the |
Treasury impose upon mo tho indispcns ,ble obi
saiion OF again inviting your most serious atten-
ION to the condition vi the finances. Fortu-
latcly Tor myself, in thus bringing this impor,,,
SUBJECT 10 your earnest view for deliberate aud
comprehensive examination in all its bcarines
and, trust may add ior final adjustment of
u, 10 tho common advantage OF the " hole Union,
! am permitted to approach it with perfect free
dom and candor. as uw Of tho burdens for
which provision is now required to be made have
been brought upon the country during my short
Of its affairs, have neither mo-
tive nor wish TO make them ii matter oil crimina.
ton against any Of my predecessors. l am dis
posed to regard, as am bound to trent them, as
facts, which cannot now be undone, and as deep.
~ interesting to us all, and equally imposing up
on all the most solemn dulies and the only use
would make OF the errors of the past is by care
ful examination OF their causes aid character, to
avoid II possible a repetition Of them in future.
The condition OF the country, indeed, is such
as may well arrest the conflict of parties. The
conviction seems at length TO have made its way
10 the minds OF all, that the dispsopor;ion be-
tween tho rcsponsih Utilities and tho LII
lur meeting them Is no casual nor transient evil
IL Is, OH The contrary, one which, for some years
TO come, notwithstanding resort to all reasonable
country IN population and productive power,
must continue to Increase under existing laws,
unless we consent to give up or impair all our
defences in war and peace. But tails is a thought
which am persuaded, no patriotic mind would
for moment entertain. Without ailrc,;nr an
alarm which do not feel in regard to our foreign
relations, it may be safely affirmed that they are
In state too critical and involve too many mo-
menlous Issues, TO permit us To neglect in the
least much less to abandon entirely, those means
OF asserting our rights, without which ncgotia-
ton 10 without dignity and peace without Sc
curity.
In the Report Of the Secretary Of the Treasu-
ry, submitted TO Congress at the commencement
OF the present session, it is estimated that, after
exhausting ali the probable resources of the year.
there will remain deficit of about 81 ii Zoo, 900.
with view partly to permanent system Of rev.
nue., and partly to immediate relief from actual
embarrassment, that officer recommended, togeth-
or with plan Tor establishing a Government In
chequer, some eXpedients of more temporary
character, VIZ: the issuing of Treasury notes, and
inc extension OF the time for which the loan au-
thorlzed TO be negotiated by the act of the last
session should be taken. Congress accordingly
provided Tor an issue of Treasury notes to tie
amount OF $5,O00,000, hut subject Ia the condi-
ton that they should not be paid away below par.
NO measure connected with the last of the two
oeJects above mentioned, was introduced until re-
Gently into the House of Representatives. Should
the loan bill now pending before that body pass
INTO law for its present amount, there would
sui remain deficit of $4,000 900. 1t requires
no argument TO show that such condition of the
treasury is incompatible not only with hiuL
state OF public credit, but with any thing APP
preaching to efficiency in the conduct of public
affairs. 1t must be obvious, even TO the most in
experienced minds, that, to say nothing of any
particular eNlgency, actual or Imminent, there
should be at all times in the Treasury of prea,
nation, with view to contingencies of ordinary
,Nl.,. 4
the above dutiOirHuy DuI rraJ deficiency, serious
as 1t would be in ITSELF will, am compelled 10
say, rather be Increased than diminished with
out the adoption of measures adequate TO correct
the evil at once. The stagnation of trade and bu-
siness, In some degree, incident to the deranoe
meht Oh the national finances, and the state ofthe
revenue laws, holds out but little prospect of re-
lief In the ordinary Of things for some
time to come.
Under such circumstances, am deeply i'm
pressed with the necessity of meeting tile crisis
with vigor and decision which it inperativeIv
demands at the hands of all entrusted with the
conduct OF public affairs. The gravity of the
eVll calls Tor remedy proportioned TO it. No
sight paiiIatlves or occasional eXpedients will
give the country the relief it needs. Such inca
sures on the contrary, will. in the end, as is now
m.a,lest 70 all 100 surely multiply its embarrass-
menus. helylDg as am bound to do on the
representatives of People rendered ilius;rious
amor, among nations by having paid oil its whole pub
TIC deDt, shall not shrink from the responsible
imposed upon me by the Constitution of point
my OUT such measures as will in my opinion en-.
euie adequate relief. / am the more ENCOURAGED
70 recommend the course which necessity ex;,cis
ny the confidence which have in its con,plue
success lhe resources OF the country, in cvery
'hing That constitutes the wealth and strenC,b n,
naIons. are so abundant--the spirit of a mos,
INDUSTRIOUS. enterpriSing, and Intelligent people
10 SO ehergcuc and elastic, that the Government
VIII DC without the shadow of excuse for its de-
!inquency, II the difficulties which now embarrass
" % not speedily and eflectualy removed
rom present indications, it is hardly dorbtfcl
that Congress will find it necessary to law addI-
uoha' duties on Imports, in order to meet the Or
uihary current expenses OF tile Government. In
Tue exercise OF a sound discrimination shavi,w
tc'crchce 20 revenue, but at the same time neccs,
safiy ahording incidental protection to mapur.ctu-
ring industry, 1t seems equally probable tba, dir.
Ties ON some articles of importation will h,vo -
be advanced above 20 per cent. I, nerf1,rn,ia,,
ths important work of reyisinr the tnriG of d.
lies, Which in the prosont o,nor~or..., ,,,Il -
70 be indispensable, cannot too strongly recon-
mend the cultivation Of spirit Of mutual farmo
ny and concession, to which the Government IL
sell owes Its origin, and without the continued
exercise OF which, jaTing and discord would mi.
versaly prevail. An additional reason for ,Io
increase of duties In some instances beyond the
rate OF 20 per cent. will exist i'm fulGiIino the
recommendations already made, and now repe,t.
ed, OF making adequate appropriations for the
deiences OF the country.
BY the express provision Of the act DISTRIBUTE,
the proceeds Of the sales OF the public i,r"es
IFS