Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1844-12-12

me tO bear this public testimony. The
cardinal objects which should ever be
/ held in view by those entrusted with the
administration Of public affairs, are rigid
| ly, and without favor or affection, SO TO
interpret The national will, expressed in
the laws, as that injustice should be done
TO none, Justice to all. This has been
The rule upon which they have acted ;
and thus it is believed that few cases, il
any, exist, wherein our fellow citizens
who, from time TO time, have been drawn
TO the seat Of Government for the settle
ment of their transactions with the Gov
ernmeni, have gone away dissatisfied
Where the testimony has been perfected,
and was esteemed satisfactory, their
claims have been promptly audited and
this is the absence Of all iavoriiism OF
Partially. The Government which is
not just to its own People, can neither
claim their affection, nor the respect OF
the world. AT the same time, the closest
attention has been paid to those matters
which relate more Immediately 10 the
great concerns Of the country. Order
and efficiency in each branch Of the pub
lie service, have prevailed accompanied
by a system Of the most rigid response
biity, on the part Of the receiving and
discussing agents. The fact, in illustra-
ton Of the truth Of this remark, deserves
to be noticed, that the revenues Of the
Government, amounting, in the last four
years, TO upwards Of 100, 900, 900, have
been collected and disbursed, through
the numerous Governmental agents, with
out the loss, by default, Of any amount
worthy OF serious commentary.
1 The appropriations made by Congress
for the Improvement Of the rivers Of the
|, West and Of the harbOrs on the lakes,
are in course Of fjudicious expenditure
under suitable agents, and are destined,
it is TO be hoped, to realize all the bene-
fits designed TO be accomplished by Con
gress. cannot, however, sufficiently
impress upon Congress the great impor-
tance OF Withholding appropriations from
improvements which are not ascegtained,
by previous examination and survey, to
be necessary for the shelter and protec-
tlon OF trade from the dangers OF storms
and tcmpcsts. Without this precau,on,
the expenditures are bu, too apt TO enurc
to the benefit Of individuals, without rele-
renee TO the only consideration which
can render them consttptional-the pub
lie interest and the general good.
cannot too earnestly urge upon you
the interests Of this District, over which,
by the Constitution, Congress has exclu-
sivo jurisdiction. 1t would be deeply to
be regretted should there be, at any time,
ground to complain ofneglect on the par,
of n community which, detached as it is
from the parental care Of the States Of
Virginia and Maryland, can only expect
aid from Congress, as its loc al legislature.
Amongst the subjects which claim your
attention, is the prompt organization OF
an asylum for the insane, who may he
found, from time to time, sol burning with
in the District. Such course is also de-
manded by considerations which apply
TO branches Of the public service. Fol
the necessities in this behalf, | invite
your particular attention to the report OF
the Secretary Of tho Navy.
| have thus, gentlemen Of the tive
Houses OF Congress, presented you n
true and faithful picture of the condition
Of public affairs, both foreign and domes-
tic. The wants of the public service are
made known TO you and matters Of no
ordinary importance are urged upon your
considerations Shalt not be permitted
to congratulate you on the happy auspi-
ces under which you have assembled
and Il, the important change in the con
dhion OF things which has occurred in tho
last three years During tha, period
questions with foreign powers, Of vital
Importance to the peace Of our country,
have boen settled and adjusted A des-
olating and wasting war with savage
tribes has been brought TO close. The
internal tranquility of the country, threat
ened by agitating questions, has been
preserved The credit Of the Govern
ment which had experienced temporary
embarrassment, has been thoroughly re-
stored. It's Golfers, which for season
were empty, have been rcplonshed. A
currency, nearly uniform in It's value,
has taken the place Of one deprc ccated
and almost worthless. Commerce and
manufactures, which had suffered in COM
mon with every other interest, have once
more revived and the whole country
exhibits an aspect Of prosperity and hap
pness. Trade and barter, no longer
governed by wild and speculative ma
MIA, rest upon solid and substantial foot
ing and the rapid growth Of our cities,
in every direction, bespe axis most strong
ly the favorable circumstances by which
we are surrounded. My happiness, in
the retirement which shortly awaits me,
is the ardent hope which ] experience,
that this state of prosperity is neither de-
ceptive nor destined TO be short lived
and that mcaeures which have not yet
received its sanction, but which l cannot
bu, regard as closely connected with the
honor, the glory, aud still more enlarged
prosperity Of the country, arc destined,
at an early dav, to receive the approval
Of Congress. Under these circums,an-
ccs, aud with these anticipations, shall
most gladly leave To others, more able
than myself, the noble aud pleasing task
Of sustaining the public prosperity. !
shall carry with me into retirement the
gratifying reflection that as my sole OBJ
ject ihroug ghout has been TO advance the
public good. l may not entirely have
lnlIed in accomplishing it and this graft
fcation is heightened in no small degree
by the fact that when, under deep and
abidiny sense of duty. | have found NV