Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1842-08-18

legislative branches of the Government. il has
assuredly not been owing to any capricious
interference, or to any want of Q plain and
frank declaration of opinion on the part Of
the former. Congress differed in its views
with those of the Executive, as it undoubt-
edly had right to do, and passed a bill vir-
tually for a time repeating the proviso of
the act of the 4th of September, 1e4l.
The bill was returned to the House from
whence it originated, with my objections to
its becoming a law. With view to pre-
vent, if possible, an open disagreement OF
opinion on point so important, took occa-
sion to declare that regarded it as an indis-
penSable prerequisite to an increase of du-
ties above 20 per cent, that the act of the
4th of September should remain unrepealed
in its provisions. My reasons for that opin-
ion were elaborately set forth in the mes
sage which accompanied the return of the
bill-which no constitutional majority ap-
pears to have been found for passing into a
! law.
The bill which is now before me propo-
ses, in the 9th section, the total repeal of
one of the provisos in the act of September,
and while it increases the duties above 20
per cent, directs an unconditional distribu-
ton of the land proceeds. am therefore
subjected a second time, in the period of a
few days to the necessity OF either giving
my approval 10 measure which, in my de-
liberate Judgment, is in conflict with great
public interests, or of returning it to the
House in which i. originated, with my OBJ
jections. With all my anxiety for the pas
sage of law which would replenish an ex-
hausted Treasury, and furnish sound and
healthy encouragement to mechanical in
| dustry, cannot consent to do SO at the sa-
crifice 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 messages to Congress, and briefly
subjoin the following
l. The bill unites two subjects, which, so
far from having anyaffinity to one another,
are wholly incongruous in their character.
1t is both revenue & an appropriation bill.
| 1t thus imposes 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
Judgment of the Executive ought not, in nv
opinion, to be subjected. But that is not my
only objection to the act in it's present form
The union of subjects wholly dissmilar in
their character in the same bill, if 1t grow
into practice, would not fail to lead to
consequences destructive of all wise and
conscientious legislation. Various measures,
each agreeable only to small minority,
might, by being thus united, and the more
the greater chance of success, lead to the
passing of laws of which no single provision
could, if standing alone. command majo-
rity in its favor.
2. 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 Law
additional taxes, but to borrow money to
meet pressing demands, the bill proposes to
give away a fruitful source of revenue
which is the same thing as raising money
by loan and taxation-not to meetthe wants
Of the Government, but for distribution, q
proceeding which l 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 ex-
hibit its actual necessities -
On the 9Th OF August, FRIDAY las there was IN the
Treasury in round numbers, 81, 10000
trust funds, $4,000
Interest on public debt due in Oc-
tober, $4,000
To redeem Treasury notes and
pay the interest, 100000
Land distribution under the act
Of the 4th September, lS4l, $4,000
-s1 ,lsooOO
Leaving an available amount Of $97OOOO
The Navy Department has drawn requi-
stions on the Treasury, at that time, to
meet debts actually due, among which are
bills under protest for $l,4l4,OOO, thus leav-
ing an actual deficit of SS444,00O.
There was on hand about 100000 of un-
issued Treasury notes, assisted by the &C
cruing revenue, amounting to about $780,
600 per week, exclusive Of receipts on un-
paid bonds, to meet acquisitions for the ar
my, and the demands of the civil list.
The withdrawal of the sum of Ss64O,OOO to
| be distributed among the states, so soon as
| the statements and accounts can be made
up and completed, by virtue of the act OF
| the 18th September last, of which nearly a
moiety goes to few states and only about
| 1888, 900 is to be vided among all the
states, while it adds materially to the en-
barrassments of the Treasury, affords to the
states no decided relief.
I No immediate relief from this state OF
things is anticipated, unless, what would
most deeply be deplored, the Government
could be reconciled to the negotiation OF
loans already authorized by law, at rate
of discount ruinous in itself, and calculated
most seriously to affect the public credit
So great is the depression oftrade, that even
If the present bill were to become law, and
elapse before sufficient supplies would flow
into the Treasury, while, in the meantime
its embarrassments would be continually
| NA~A h~pA 49, Asl