The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1844-12-12

of Government for the settlement OF thell
transactions with the Government, have
gone away dissatisfied. Where the ties.
timony hiss been perfected, and was es.
teemed satisfactory, their claims have
been promptly audited; and this in the
absence of all favoriteism or partiality.-
The Government which is not just to its
own people, can neither claim their al.
lection nor the respect of he world -
AT the same time the closest attention
has been paid to those matters which re.
late more Immediately TO the great con.
Germs of the country. Order and eff,
cheney in each branch of the public SER
vice, have prevailed. accompanied by
n system of the most rigid responsibility
on the part Of the receiving and disburs'
ing agents. The fact, in illustration OF
the truth of this remark, deserves to be
noticed that the revenue of the Govern
ment, amounting in the last four years, to
upwards Of 100, 1000, 900, have been COL
lectcd and disbursed, through the nu-
merons Governmental agents, without the
loss, by default, of amy amount worthy
of serious commentary.
The appropriations made by Congress
for the Improvement of the rivers OF the
West, and of the harbnrs on the lakes,
are in course of judicious expenditure
under suitable agents; and are destined
it is to be hoped, t, relieve all the benefits
designed to be accomplished by Con-
grcss. | cannot, however, sufficiently
impress upon Congress, the great i'm
portance Of Withholding appropriations
from improvements which are not ascer-
tanned, by previous examination and sur
vey, to be necessary for the shelter and
protection Of trade from the dangers Of
storms and tcmpests. Without this pre-
caution, the expenditures are bat tho apt
to cnure to the benefit of Individuals
without reference to the only coEsidera-
ton which can render constitutional the
public interests and The general good
cannot too earnestly urge upon you
the interests or this District, over which,
b. tn, Constitution, Congress has cxclu-
sive jurisdiction. 1t would be deeply to
be regretted should there be, at any time
ground to com lain Of neglect, on the
part of a community which, detached as
it is from the parental care of the States
of Virginia and Maryland, can only cX-
pect aid from Congress, as its local legs-
laturc, Amongst the subjects which
claim your attention, is the prompt or
ganizaton Of an asylum for the insane,
who may be found, from time to time, So
iournng within the District, Such course
is also demanded by considerations which
apply to branches of the public service.
For the nct'2 ssitcs in this behalf, ! invite
your particular attention to the report Of
the Secretary ofthc Navy.
have thus, gentlemen of the two
10 scs of Congress, pre-, ented you true
and faithful picture of the condition of
public affairs, both foreign and domestic.
The wants Of The public service arc made
known to you; and matters Of no ordna-
ry Importance arc urged upon your con-
sidcration Shall | not be permitted to
congratulate you on the happy auspices
unicr which you have assembled, and at
the important chlngc in the condition OF
kings which has occurred in the last
hrcc ycors' During that period, qncs-
ions with foreign powers, Of vital impor
ance to the peace of our country, have
been settled and adjusted. a desolatng
and wasting war with savage tribes has
been brought to close, The internal
tranquility Of the country, threatened by
hgitating questions, has been preserved,
The credit Of the Government, which had
Experienced n temporary embarrassment,
IA; been thoroughly restored. Its coi-
ers, which, for Il season, were empty, |
ave been rcplcnishcd. A currency,
hearty uniform in lis value has taken the |
u ICE Of one deprecated and almost worth
ess. Commerce and manufactures which |
lad suffered in common with every other
interest, have once more revived and
he whole country exhibits an aspect Of
prosperity and happiness. Trade and
barter, M longer governed by a wild and
pccua:ive mania, rest upon solid and
lbstantiaI footing; and the rapid growth
f our cities, in every direction. bc.peaks
most strongly the favorable circumstances
which we are surrounded.
NV happiness, in the retirement whic
hortv awaits me, is the ardent hope
Inch experience. that this state Of pros
Gritty is neither deceptive nor destined
he short lived ;and that measures which
ave not yet received its sanction, but
hich cannot bul regard rs closely con-
ectcd with the honor, the glory, and still
lore enlarged prosperity Of the country
re destined, at an early day, to receive
be approval of Congress. Under these
circumstances, and with these anticipa-
ons, shall most gladly leave to others,
ore able than myself the noble aud
easing task of sustaining the public
rosperity | sh' il carry with me into
ptremcnt the gratifying reflection that,
my sole object throughout has been
advance the public good, | may not
ntirely have failed in accomplishing it;
nd this qualification is heightened III no
NIL degree by the fact that when under
deep and abiding sense Of duty, ! have
und myself constrained to resort to the
ialificd Veto, it has neither beech fol-