Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-12-06

in his appropriate sphere, has rendered me
the most efficient aid in carrying on the
Government; and it will not, trust, appear
out of place, for me to bear this public testi-
mony. The cardinal objects which should
ever be held in view by those entrusted with
the administration of public affairs, are rig
idly, and without favor and 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,
il is believed that few cases, if any, exist,
wherein our fellow citizens who, from time
to time, have been drawn to the seat Of
Government for the settlement of their
transactions with the Government, have
gone away dissatisfied. Where the testmo-
ny has been perfected, and was esteemed
satisfactory, their claims have been prompt
ly audited and this in the absence Of all
favortism or 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 to the great
concerns of the country. Order and eff
cheney in each branch of the public service,
have prevailed; accompanied by system
of the most rigid responsibility, on the part
ofthe receiving and dlsbursing agents The
fact, in illustration of the truth of this re-
mark, deserves to be noticed, that the reve-
nues of the Government, amounting, in the
last four years, to upwards of $3.50 600, 900,
have been collected and discussed, through
the numerous Governmental agents, without
the loss, by default, of any amount worthy
of serious commentary.
The appropriations made by Congress for
the improvement Of the rivers of the West,
and of the harbors on the lakes, are in a
course of judicious expenditure under suit
able agents; and are destined, il is 10 be
hoped, TO realize all the benefits designed
TO be accomplished by Congress. cannot,
however, sufficiently impress upon Congress,
the great importance of withholding appro-
priations from Improvements which are not
ascertained, by previous examination and
survey, to be necessary for the shelter and
protection Of trade from the dangers Of
storms and tempests. Without this precau-
ton, the expenditures are but too apt to
enure TO the benefit of individuals without
reference to the only consideration which
can render them constitutional--the public
interests and the general good.
| cannot too earnestly urge upon you the in
terests of this District over which, by the con-
stitution, Congress has exclusive jurisdiction.
II would be deeply 10 be regretted should there
be, at'any time, ground 10 complain OF neglect
on the part Of a community which, detached as
il is from the parental Of the States of Vir-
GINA and Maryland, can only expect aid from
Congress, as its local observation-disclosures
The subjects which claim your attention, is the
prompt organization off asylum for the insane
which may be found from time to time, So
journing within the District Such course is
also demanded by considerations which apply
! to branches oil the public service. For the ne
cessities in this behalf, 10 invite your paTticu-
lar attention 10 the report of the Secretary OF
the Navy
have thus, gentlemen Of the two Houses OF
Congress, presented you true and faithful pic
ture of the condition OF public affairs; both for
eign and domestic. The wants of the public
service are made known 10 you and matters
of no ordinary importance are urged upon your
consideration. Shall | not be permitted to con-
| graduate you on the happy auspices under
which you have assembled, and al the impor-
tant change in the condition of things which
has occurred in the last three years s-During
that period questions with foreign powers, oil
vital Importance to the peace Of our country
nave DCCH duluStCu. n ucSOldtlDk
and wasting war with savage tribes, has been
brought to close. The internal tranquility
of the country, threatened by agitaiing ques-
tons, has been preserved. The credit of the
Government, which had experienced tempo.
rary embarrassment has been thoroughly restor.
ed. lis Golfers which, for season, were empty
have been replenished. currency, nearly
uniform in its value, has taken the place of one
deprecated and almost worthless. Commerce
md a. ..,hs ab k.1
mon with every other interest, have once more
revived and the whole country exhibits an as
pect Of prosperity and happiness. Trade ant
barter, no longer governed by wild and spec
ulative mama, rest upon a solid and substantial
footing; and the rapid growth Of our cities, II
4 every direction, bespeaks more strongly The IA
+ vorabe circumstances by which we are sur
rounded. My happiness, in the retirement
which shortly awaits me, is the ardent hop,
which Experience, that this state ofprospert,
J is neither deceptive nor destined to be shor
: lived and that measures which have not re
, ceived its sanction, bat which cannot but re
gard as closely connected with the honor, tn,
glory, and still more enlarged prosperity of thu
country, are destined, at an early day. to re
; ceive the approval of Congress. Under thes,
circumstances, and with the anticipations,
, shall most gladly leave to others, more all,
than myself, the noble and pleasing task of sus
tanning the public prosperity. ! shall carr,
with me into retirement the gratifying reflect
ion that, as my sole object throughout has beef
: to advance the public good, may not entirel,
) have failed in accomplishing it /; and this graft
fication is heightened in no small degree by tn
= fact that when, under deep and abiding sens
E Of duty, ! have found myself constrained to re
/ sort to the qualified Veto, it has neither beef
. followed by disapprova on the part of the PEG
pie, nor weakened in any degree their attach
ment 10 that preal conservative feature OF OIL