The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1845-12-18


cases, wheO ii was practicable, taken col
lateral security 10 the amount which they
hold, by the pledge of stocks of,he Unied
States, or such Of the States as were in
good credh. Some Of the deposiie bank
have given this description OF security, anC
others have declined 10 do so.
Entertaining the opinion that "ihe sep.
aration of The moneys of the Government
from banking institutions is indispensable
for the safety of The funds of the Govern
ment and the rights of The people" | recon-
mend to Congress that provision be made
by law for such separation, and that q
Constitutional Treasury be created for the
safe-keeping of the public money. The
Constitutional Treasury recommended is
designed as secure depository for The
public money, without any power 10 make
loans or discounts, or 10 issue any paper
whatever as curredcy or circulation,
cannot doubt that such Treasury as was
contemplated by the Constitution, should
be Independent! Of all banking corpora,
lions.
The money OF the people should be
kept in the treasury of the people created
by law, and be in the custody of agents OF
the people chosen by themselves, accord
ing 10 the forms of the constitution; agents
who are directly responsible to the gov.
eminent, who are under adequate bonds
and oaths, and who. are subject to severe
punlshments for any embezzlemen,, pri-
vae use, or misapplication of the public
funds, and for any failure in other respects
10 perform their duties. To say that the
people or their government are incompe-
tent, or moi 10 be trusted with the custody
Of their own money, in their own treasury,
provided by themselves but must RELY on
The presidents, cashiers, and stockholders
Of banking corporations, not appointed by
them, nor responsible 10 them, would be
10 concede that they are incompetent for
self. government.
la recommending the establishment OF
constitutional treasury, in which the
public money shall be kept, desire that
adequate provision be made BY law for its
safety, and that all executive discretion or
control over it shall be removed, except
snch as may be necessary in directing its
disbursement in pursuance Of appropria.
tons made by law.
In his last annual message 10 Congress,
Mr. M ,dison invited attention TO a proper
provision for the Attorney General as an
=" importan, Improvement in the executive
establishment" This recommendation
was repeated by some of his successors.
The official duties Of The Attorney Gene
raj have been much increased within
few years, aud his office has become one
of great importance. His duties may be
still further increased with advantage 10
the public interests. AS an executive of
6cer, his residence and constant attention
at the seat Of government are required
Legal questions involving important prin>
ciples, and large amounts Of public money,
are constantly referred to him by the Pres.
ident and executive departments for his
examination and decision.
The public business under his olfi:ial
management before the judiciary has been
so augmented by the extension of our ter>
Titory, and The acts of Congress authorize
ing suits against the United States for large
bodies Of valuable public lands, as greatly
to Increase his la5ors and responsibilities.
therefore recommend that the Attorney
General be placed on the snme footing
with the heads of the othe! executive de-
parlmens, with such subordinate officers,
provided by law for his department, as
may be required to discharge he addition.
al duties which have been or may be de-
volved upon him.
Congress possesses the power of exclusive
legislation over the District Of Columbia
and commend the interests OF its inhab
i:ants 10 your favorable consideration
The Peep dc of this District have no legis>
Iative body Of their own, and must confde
their local as well as their general inter-
ests to representatives in whose election
they have no voice, and over whose official
conduct they have no control. E'ch
member of the National Legislature
should consider himself as their immediate
representative, and should be the more
ready to give attention TO their Interests
and wants, because he is not responsible
TO them. / recommend that liberal and
generous spirit may characterize their
measures in relation to them. | shall be
ever disposed to show proper regard for
their wishes and, within constitutional
limits, shall at all times cheertully coop
crate with you for the advancement Of
their welfare.
/ trust it may not be deemed inappro-
pirate to The occasion for me to dwell for
? moment on The memory of the most en-
inep! c:lizen of our cu2ntfy, who, during
The summer that is gone by,nas descended
10 the .onb. Tie enjoymen. of contem'
plating, at the advanced age OF near four
score wears, the happy condition of his
country, cheered The last hours oil Andre"