The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-08-19


means Of the Government towards satisfying its
wants. These opinions were communicated in al
vance of any dcfnate action of Congress on the
subject either of the tariff or land sales, under n
sense OF pubc duty, and in compliance with an
express INDUCTION of the Constitutional that if a
collision, extremely to be deprecated as such col
sions always are, has seemingly arisen between
the Executive, and Legislative branches of the
Government, it has assuredy not been owing to
any caprcious interference, OF any want of plain
and frank declaration of opinion the part of the
former. Congress differed in its views with those
of the Executive, as il had undoubtedly right to
do, and passed bill virtually for time repeating
the proyisO of the act Of the 4th September, lSlI
The bill was returned to the House in which it
originated, with my objections to its becoming
law. With view TO prevent, possible, an open
disagreement ofopinion on point so important,
took occasion to declare that | regarded it as an
indispensable prerequisite TO an increase of duties
above 20 per cent, that the act of the 18th Sep,em-
Der should remain unrepealed in its PROVISIONS
forth in the message which accompanied the re-
turn of the bill-which no constitutional majority
appears to have been found for passing into a law
The bill which is now before Inc proposes, in its
eth section, the total repeal of one of the provsos
in the act ofseptcmber, while it increases the du-
ties above 20 per cent, directs an unconditional
distribution Of the land proceeds. am therefore
subjected a second time, in the period of few
days, to the necessity of either giving my approval
to ii measure which, in my deliberate judgement,
is in conflict with great public interest, or of re-
turning it to the House in which it originated with
my objections With all my anxiety for the pas
age of Il law which would repIcnsh an exhausted
Treasury, and furnish sound and healthy en-
enlargement 10 mechanical industry, cannot con-
sent 10 do 50 at the sacrifice of the peace and har-
mony of the country, and the clcarest convictions
of public duty,
For some of the reasons that have brought me
to this conclusion, refer TO my previous Mesa
scs to Congress, and briefly suhjoin the following;
l. The bill uniteS two subjects, which, so far
from having any affinity to one another, are Who'll
y incongruous in their character. 1t sbolh rev.
cnuc and an appropriation bill, 1t thus imposes
on the Executive, in the frs, place. the necessity
of either approving that which he would reject,
or rejecting that which he might otherwise ap-
prove.
This is species of consrant to which the judy
ment of the Executive ought not, in my opinion to
be subjected. But that is no, my objection to the
act in lis present form. The union of subjects
wholly dissnar in their character in the same bill,
i it grew into practice, would not fail to lead to
consequences destructive to all wise and conscien-
cious legislation Various measures, each agrcca.
bic to only small minority, might, by being thus
united, and the the greater chance of success,
lead to the passing of laws, of which no single pro-
vision could, if standing alone, command major
hy IN its favor
2, While the Treasury is in 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 moncy
TO meet pressing demands, the bill proposes 10 give
away fruitful source of rcvcnue-which is the
same thing as raising money by loan and taxation
not to meet the wants Of the government, but for
distribution, proceeding which must regard as
highly impolitic ir not unconstitutional.
A brief review of the present condition Of the
public finances, will serve TO illustrate the true con-
dlion Of the Treasury, and exhibit its actual neces
stiles. On the 9th of August Friday last,) there
was in the Treasury,in round numbers, 81, $50 900
Necessary to be retained to
meet trust funds, 100000
Interest on public debt due
in October, 50, 900
To redeem Treasury notes
aud pay the interest, 100, 900
Land distribution under the
act Of the lth of Scplcm-
Der. ISL, GOO
--Sl 1870, 900
Leaving the available amour, of 100000
The Navy department had drawn acquisitions
on the Treasury, at that time, 10 meet debts actu-