Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-10-06
rxrRAcTs FROM THE ADDRESS oE
MA. BEnRIEN TO THE PEOPLE Or
GEORGIA.
PUBLIC LAsps-pisraIBurrox

am mex, instructed to use my exsr,ions to eject
n rspei of the law 10 distribute the proceeds OF the
public lands among tho several States. You arc
wsrs that by the terms Of the ac the distribution
~ sasps rded Whenever duties on Imports any oi
them, shalt be beyond twenty per cent, and incon
.istsnt with the Eet II 1883 COMMONLY known as
the Compronii,e Aci--and that, rs the du;es i'm
,,.ei hy the present tamil arc beyond this limit and
w,u probtLly continue for some time the dis;ri-
button has consequently ceased, and, with the de
termination manifested by the President, ennrot
soon BE- resumed. Nevertheless, there are some
suggestions, appropriate to this subject, which
viii wall myself Of the occasion TO make.
My own conviction is, and has been for long
time that the distribution act Is correct IN principle
that the best iatcTcsts OF the Government, in re-
laon revenue, and mere justice to the old States.
including our own. require its enforcement. For
reasons which I would gladly detail, il could
bring them within the limits of this address, be.
heve that n revenue derived from imposts IS best
adapted TO tho condition Of the country. Such
system, however, TO be sslutary, must be stabc,
not liable To nuctuation; but this cannot 10 wnc
the proceeds OF the public ands continue TO form a
part OF the permanent revenue of the Government.
These vary to the amount of many millions in diff
icrent years, which would render II necessary to
make corresponding variations IN the rate oimposts,
ar the result would DC, that the treasury would he
at one time OVERCOMING and at another Insufficient
~ supplied 10 meet the wants Of the Government
That tho law is correct in principle, and n mere
oct Of justice TO the old States, lie, think, obvious
from the fact that much of the puolic l,nds rs held
unl.r trust for the benefit OF all the States, crca-
ted Ivy the States conveying It, the purposes OF
which were fulfilled by the payment OF the public
debt existing at the time OF its creation; and thathe
remainder were purchased with the JOINT funds OF
all the States SO that all equally entitled IN par
tieipate in them-a result which can only be pro-
,luced by providing presently, Tor the ustriouion,
b fore the increasing strength OF the new States
shall have given them the absolute control oil The
subject.
nm my mind in support OF this measure. IL IS the
benefit which would result from Withdrawing The
public lands from the action OF Constess. lhey
have, for many years, constituted the hobby oil po
lncaI nspirauis and are destined, II this bill IS re
pealed to be n source OF bitter contention 10 the
national legislature, when the new States shall
have acquired strength for the controversy. ems
tettained and expressed this opinion, many years
AGO, in the Senate Of the United States, when was
formerly honored 10y your confidence, and suisse
ouent experience has but served TO confirm it,
when therefore, this bill was presented to Con-
yreSs at the extra session, i should have gwen II
INV unqualified support II had not believed That
,s naked condition OF the treasury, and tue embar-
r,s,ed state of the country, threatening continued
falling off OF our imposts, rendered II expedont IN
point OF time. l feared, that with deprecated
currency "A PROSTATE commerce, and inc amount oi
debt which was due abroad, We would no., Tor some
time, derive from imposts revenue adequate 10
,he wants of the Government, and prelened that
the deficiency should be supplied from the puohc
lands rather than from direct taxation, which was
she only remaining alternative statement pre-
pared by the chairman Of the committee OF manu-
iactures IN the Senate, calculated TO shew that
snffcient revenue might bc produced by duty OF
20 per cent on the home valuation OF imports, for
which the compromise act provided, and desire, u
Al could be done, TO preserve that oct, wh'ch hai
como 10 u.s. with healing on it's wings, IN a crisis
frausht with eminent hezlrd TO tho institutions Of
the country, induced the to advocate the ptOv,so to
the distribution BILL which llmItodiis operation IN Tue
manner have before stated. THIS calculation has
not been realised and If the existing iart shall con-
tnue and be found to produce revenue adequate
To the wants OF Ike Government, without the AID OF
the public lands the considerations which have
been before stated with the additional one oil The
great advantages which the States would derive
from the completion oil their works oil INTERNAL lm-
provement in which they would DO so essentially
aided by the proceeds OF the public lands, will make
IL a matter worthy OF most serious considera-
ton, whether the distribution ought not TO be re
sumed. The occasion for acting on this subject, IN
this view cannot occur for some time 10 come; but
it is presented TO you now, that your deliberate
Judgment may be formed TO inset that occasion
when IL does arise.
BANKRUPT LAW.
have no, been able TO comply with the mex, in
siructon Of the Legislature, which requires me 10
use my exerons TO effect 10 repeal OF the Bankrupt
law. It is sometimes I'm times like these, Tor ox-
ampc,) & great misfortune to be IN debit but Il IS
not always q crime and though the Inability TO pay
aggrnvates the misfortune, il does not always render
the debtor a criminal. IL is cherished opinion OF
mine long since adopted and confirmed by suisse
quent ref eciion, that honest man, who contracts
n debt without fraud, which he is rendered unable
10 pay by misfortune, ought not TO be liable
TO the Incarceration OF his person, or 10 he con
,lemhed through life TO be the doomed Save" OF
his creditors: but that, upon fair and bona hoe sur.
,nder all that he has TO those crsGiOrs he sIonli
90 permitted once more, undert the guidance OF a
kind and necilul Providence, 10 exert his uhfei!er
cd energies for his own support, and That o. those
who are depcndont on, and dear 10 him. believe
that the plainest dictates OF justice and humanity
demand and that the interest OF Government, and
even OF creditors themselves, require the enforce
meat o. this principle Cannot yield my opinion
on this principle. | cannot yield my opinion on
this subject. IL IS part and parcel Of my nature
the dictate Of feeling, If you will, but sustained and
confirmed 10y the clenreSt convictions Of my judy J
msnt More than fifteen years Ogo. in the Senate |
of the United States, devOed the BIS! energies OF
my mind TO an attempt to eniofceil; and hailed lis
adoption at the extra session as triumph Of reason
aud humanity over error end avarice-As an Offering
on h, altar Of justice an bsLevolerce, which, ike
charity in its most enlarged sense, was douby |
blessed ] know that the Casualties which are more |
especially incident TO trade nnd commerce; make |
thoss who engage IN these pursuits the most appfo-
pirate objects Of ouch system OF legislation. Blu;
have mover doubted the authority Of Congress eI
tend it TO any other class Of mentorous and unior
t1nate debiors, and j am sustained IN this opinion
ny the recorded decisions OF the Supreme Court OF
tho U1i;ed S,aes and by the authority Of The most
distinguished living urist OF our county, the learn
ri and able commentator on tie American Con
5titulion Hereafter, If happily the Bankrupt act /
may he permitted TO become permanent part OF
our legislation, il may be worthy Of consideration,
whehsr il will not be proper so to modify Il, as TO
restrain lis operation TO those classes Of our citizens
Who are mos, exposed TO the m sadyenures, against
which il is intended TO bG1rd protection. But the
moment OF its enactment, when thousands OF our
eilo0 c.tz ms were bowed down q the dust by pecu
d airy ombanassmen's, which the mis-g government OF
heir rulers had largely contributed to produce,
seemed TO me peculiarly appropriate for the proc a.
nation Of n judicial jubilee, which would restore
bese unf,rtun tie men free AL unfetitrol, to their
lends and their country. The testimonies which
nave received from various parts q the Union
com the most enlightened iuriss, from credl,oS Ms
!. ell as debtors-all unite TO prove the beneficial
,peration Of this &C.. For full exposition Of my !
views on tho subject, beg to refer you to the /
published argument submitted 10 the Senate on the |
10 repeal the law which contains such
apology Cor my vote as was able N give. Itwi !
/ sincerely hope, be satisfactory - you. Tone
the humble part which have been permitted to
perform on this occasion, in the accomplishment ol
this act Of justice and benehccnce, well as OF an
enlarged and libetal policy, IS among the most
precious consultations Or my life.
LOAN AND REVENUE BILLS.
lam next required 10 use my exortions, so to 70
duce aud modify the loan bill, aud revenue biL as
20 limit the sum raised for the support Of GOvctn-
ment TO the amount only which economy IN the
pubic service may require. The loan and revenue
bills here spoken ol, those Ol tho extra session.
To these Therefore, confno my remarks
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