Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1843-12-14


able the officer q, the head Of the De-
par,ment to res,raig the expenditures
within the income. There is also too
much reason TO fear that the franking
privilege has run into great abuse. The
Department nevertheless has D en- con-
Quoted with the greatest gigor, and has
attained at the least possible expense, oil
the useful objects for which it was esiab-
Iishe6.
In regard to all the Departments, am
quite happy in he belief that nothing has
been left und ne which was called for by
true spirit Of economy, or by system
of accountability rigldly enforced. This
is in some degree apparent from the fact,
that tho Government has sustained no
loss by the default Of any Of its agents.
In the complex bat al the same time, beau.
tlful machinery Of our system Of Govern.
ment, il is not q waiter Of surprise, that
some remote agency may have failed for
an instant to fulfil its desired office but
feel confident in the assertion, that no.
thing has occurred TO interrupt the har-
monious action Of the Government Itself,
and that while the laws have been execut-
ed with efficiency and vigor, The rights
neither Of States nor ndr iIuals have been
trampltd on or disregarded.
Ia The mean time the country has been
steadily advancing 10 al that contributes
to tionai greatness. The hide of popu-
alton continues unbrokenly 10 flow into
the new States and tcrrito,ies, where a
refuge is found not only for our native
born fellow-ci,izens, but for emigrants
from all parts Of til, civilized world, who
come among US to partakc Of the blessings
of our free institutions, and to aid by their
labor TO swell tho current OF our wealth
and power.
Ii is due to every consideration of pub.
lie policy that the lakes aud rivers OF the
West should receive all such attention at
the hands Of Congress as the Constitution
will enable it to bestow, Works in IA
vorable and proper situations on The lakes
would be found to be as indispeusa5ly ne
cessary in case Of war TO carry On safe
and successful naval operations, as forti-
fcatlons on the Atlantic sea board. The
appropriation made by The last Congress
Tor tie improvement Of the navigation OF
the NJ ssissppi river, has been diligently
and efficiently applied.
| cannot clGss this communication, gen
tlemen, without recommending to your
mos, favorable consideration, the interests
Of this District. Appointed by the Con.
s,ilution its exclusive leg slators, and FORM
ing in this particular the only anomaly in
our system OF Government of the legisla
tive body being elcted by Others than
those for whose advantage they are ,o
legs'ate, you will feel superadded obi
cation to look we'll into their condition,
and to leave no cause for complaint or re.
gret. The S, at oc Cove tnment OF our as
socated Republics cannot but be RI garded
as worthy Of your parental care.
10 connection with its other interests,
as well as those Of the whole country,
recommend that at your present session
you adopt such measures, in order TO car.
nv into effect the Smithsonian bcquest, as
in your judgment will be best calculated
to consumate the liberal intent Of the ties.
tator.
When, und,r dispensation of Divine
| Proviu,. nee, succt eded to the Prtsiden
,ial Office, the state CT public affairs was
embarrassing and critical. To add to The
irritation consequent upon long Standing
controversy with one Of the most power.
full nations Of modern times, involving not
only questions Of boundary which under
the most favorable circumstances, are al
ways embarrassing, but at the same time
important and high principles of maritime
law--border controversies between the
citizens and subjects Of the two countries
had engendered a state Of feeling and Of
conduct wifi b threatened the most Ca
lamtous consequences. The hazards in.
cident to this state of things were greatly
heightened by the arrest and Imprisonment
of a subject of Great Britain, who acting
as it was alleged, as part Of military
force, had aided in the commission Of ar
act vlolutive ofthe territorial jurisdiction
OF the United States, and involving the
murde, of citizen of tho State of New
York. A large amount of claims agains,
the Government of Mexico remained I'M
adjusted, and war Of several years con-
,inuance with the savage tribes Of Florida
still prevailed, attended with the desola-
t on of large portion Of that beautiful
territory, and with the sacrifice of many
valuable lives. To increase the embar.
rrassments of the Government, individual
an5 State credit had Ten nearly strick' n
down, and confidence in the General Gov
eminent was so much impaired that loans
of q small amount could only be negoliat.
ed at considerable sacrifice. AS a ne
cessary consequence Of the bligh, which
had fallen on commerce and mechanical
industry, the ships Of the one were thrown
out of employment, and the operations OF
the other had been greatly diminished.
Owing TO the condition Of the currency,
exchanges between the different parts oil
the country had become ruinousy high,
aud trade had to d,pand on deprecated
paper currency in conducting its transac.
tons. e
shaft be permitted to congratulate the
country that, under an overriding Prov
ldence peace was preserved without a
sacrifice Of the national honor; the war
in Florida was brought TO a speedy termi-
nation; large portion of the claims on
| Nay;co have been fully adiudcnted and