, 1843-03-04
CONGRESS-.

On the 10Th inst, nothing of moment
t~ranspired in the Senate. Mr.. McDuf.
6e addressed the Senate at considerable
length in favor Of his resolutions.
In the House, the resolutions estab-
fishing agencies for the purchase of wa
tcr-rotted hemp, were taken up and
passed.
The resolution calling upon the Secre-
tary of the Treasury for the reasons for
the removal of Jonathan Roberts, was ia.
ken up and passed.
The Army appropriation bill was un-
der discussion in Committee ofthe Whole,
and several amendments agreed TO. The
following was under consideration when
The Committee rose:
s.For the continuation Of the improve
.ments on the Missouri, Mississippi.
Ohio, and Arkansas rivers, for the half
calendar year $4,000. and for the fiscal
wear 100000"
The following message from the Pres
ident was received and read, and follow
ed BY a dissultory and personal debate
between Messrs. Wise and Fillmore, up
on a motion by the latter 10 refer it 10
the Committee of Ways an Meals:
WAsHISGroS, February Is, 1913.
To the House of Representatives.:
| herewith transmit 10 the House OF
Representatives Il report made TO me on
the 9th instant BY the Secretary of the
Treasury, on the subject of the present
and prospective condition of the finances.
You will perceive from it that even il
the receipts from the various sources OF
revenue for the current year shall prove
not to have been overrated, and the ex-
penditures be restrained within the esti-
mates, the Treasury will be exhausted
before the close of the year; and that this
will be the case, although authority
should be given TO the proper Depart
ment TO reissue Treasury notes. But the
state of facts existing at the present mo-
ment cannot fail TO awake a doubt wheth-
er the amount of the revenue for the res
pective quarters ofthe year will come up
to the estimates, nor is it entirely certain
that the expenditures which will be au-
thorized by Congress may not exceed the
aggregate sum which has hitherto been
assumed as the basis ofthe Treasury cal
-culations.
Ofall the duties Of the Government,
none is more sacred and imperative thar
that of making adequate and ample pro-
vision for fulfilling with ~punctuality its
~pecuniary engagements and maintaining
the public credit inviolate. Any failure
in this respect, not produced by unfore-
seen canses, could onlA be recorded by
our common constituents as a serious
neglect the public interests. l feel it,
therefore, to be an Indispensable obliga-
ton, while so much ofthe session yet re-
mains unexpired as 10 enable Congress
to give to the subject the consideration
which,, great importance demands, most
earnestly TO call its attention TO the pro-
priety OF making further provision for
the public service of the year.
The proper objects of taxation are pc
c~uliarly within the discretion OF the Leg
islature, while it is the duty Of the Exc
cutive to keep Congress duly advised OF
the State of the Treasury. and to admon-
.ish it of any danger which there may be
ground to apprehend Of failure in the
means of meeting the expenditures au-
ithorized by law.
fought not therefore to dissemble my
fears that there will be a serious falling of
in the estimated proceeds both Of the Gus
toms and the public lands. regard the
evil of disappointment in these respects
as altogether too great to be risked. if by
any possibility it may be entirely obviat-
ed.
While Lam far froa objecting, under
present circumstances. TO the recommeE-
dation of the Secretary, that authority be
granted him to reissue Treasury notes as
they shall be redeemed, and to other sug-
gestions which he has made on this sub
ject, yet it appears to me to be worthy Of
grave consideration whether more per-
manent and certain supplies ought not to
be provided. The issue of one note IN re-
.demption of another is not the payment
of debt, which must be'made IN the end
by some form of public taxation.
| cannot forbare 10 add, that, in a couE-
try SO full ~ofresources, ofsuch abundant
means, if they be but judicious!y called
out, the revenues of the Government, ITS
credit, and its ability 10 fulfill all its obi
cations, ought not to be made dependant
on temporary ~expedients, or on ealcnia-
tions of on uncertain character. The pub
lie faith in this, as in all things else ought
to be placed beyond question and be-
yond contingency.
/, The necessity Of further and full pro
vision for supplying the wants OF the
Treasury will be the more urgent II Gon-
gress, at this present session, should a,
dept no plan for facilitating the financial