Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-08-07
Tile VETO MESSAGE.

10 i1e ffOuSSHj ifWtNHHtttbts'
have considered the bill entitled IAN act ma
king appropriations for the improvement of Ger
ran hs rbors and rivers" with the care which lis
importance demands, and now return The same 10
the House Of Representatives,, in which il oris-
mated with ms objections 10 lis becoming law.
The bill proposes 10 appropriate one million three
hundred and scveniy-cight thousand four hum
bred and fifty dollars 10 be applied 10 more than
orly distinct and separate objects OF improve
ment On examining lis provisions, and The va
risty ol objects Of improvement which il en-
braces many OF them Of a local character, II Is
difficult to conceive, il il shall be sanctioned and
become law, what practical constitutional re-
straint can hereafter be imposed upon The most
extended system OF internal Improvements by the
Federal Government in all parts OF The unlon.-
The constitution has moi, in my judgment, con-
tered upon the Federal Government The power
Ia construct works OF internal Improvement
within Inc States, or 10 appropriate money from
the treasury toi that purpose That this bill as
.umcs Tor The Federal Government The RICH: 10
exercise this power cannot think, he doubted
The approved course of The Government, ard The
deliberately expressed judgment oi the people
have denied thr existence Of such power under
The constitution Several Of my predecessors
have denied lis existence in The most solemn forms.
The general proposition, that the Federal Go
yernment does not possess this power Is 50 we'll
settled, and has Tor considerable period been So
generally acquiesced in, that il is not deemed ne
cessary 10 reilerate The arguments by which il Is
sustained Nor DO deem it necessary, after the
full and elaborate discussions which have taken
place before The country on this subject, 10 do
more than state The general considerations which
have satisfied INC Of The nGconsti,uionalIty and
inexpediency OF The exercise Of such power.
II is not questioned HAT the Federal Govern
menl is one Of limited powers. lis powers are
such, and such only as are expressly granted in
the Constitution, or are properly incident 10 lie
expressly granted powers, and necessary to their
execution. In determining whether gwen power
has been granted a sound rule Of construction has
been laid down by Nh. Idd,soa. The rule is
that "whenever a question arises concerning
particular power, the fist question is whether the
power be expressed in the Constitution Ii it be,
The question is decided. If j, be not expressed,
the next inquiry mus, b., whether il is properly
an incident 10 an expressed power, and necessary
IT, lis execution. II il be, il may be exercised by
Congress. II il he mol, Congress cannot exercise
H." Il is moi pretended that there is any express
grant in the Constitution conIerrins on Congress
The power in question. Is il then an incidental
power necessary and proper lof The execution Q!
The granted powers? All the granted powers, il
is confidently aifrmsd may be eiieciually execu-
ted without The aid oil such an incident "a power
which make il principal, or substantive power,
independent of the principal power 10 which il is
an incident" Ii is not enough that may he re.
garded by Congress as Convenient or that its eSer-
else would advance the public veal. II must be
necessary and proper 10 The execution Of the prin-
cipal expressed power 10 which il is an in
cidenr. and without which such principal
power cannot be carried into effect. The
whole frame OF the Federal Constitution
proves that The Government which it creates
was intended 10 be one OF Limited and speci-
fed NOVELS construction oil The constitution
50 brs all as that BY which The power in question
is defended, tends imperceptlby 10 consolidation
Of mower in a government intended by lis trainers
10 B. thus limited in its authority. "Thc Obvious
tendency and inevitable result o! consolidation
of The States into one sovereignty would be to
transform the republican system of The u States
into a monarchy" To guard against The as
sunpion oil all powers which encroach upon The
reserved sovereignty of the States, and which con-
seuuently tend 10 consolidation, is the duty oil all
The true friends OF our political system. That The
mower in question is not properly an incident 10
any Of the granted powers, am July satisneo;
bnt if there were doubts on this sutJeci, expert
ence has demonstrated the wisdom ol the RUE maj
an The fuac,onarics OF the Federal Government
shouh abstain from the exercise Of all quesiIona-
The movers Of the Federal Government should DE
jeeinea proper, it is safer and wiser 10 appeal 10
The States and The people in the mode prescribed
nv The constitution Tor the grant desired, than 10
assume lis exercise without an amendment OF The
constitution. II Congress does not possess The
General power 10 construct works OF internal I'M
movement within The States, or TO appropriate
money from The treasury for that purpose, what IS
here 10 exempt some, ateas Of the objects Of APP
nronrialion included in this bill from The operation
ri The general rule? This bill assumes the existence
Of The power, and in some OF its provisions as
serts The principle, that Congress may exercise II
as fully as though the appropriations which II
proposes were applicable 10 III construction Of
Troads and canals. Ii there be distinction IN
nrincinle il is not perceived, and should be clear
r. defined. Some Of the objects Of appropriation
conrained in this bill are local III their character,
and lie within The limits OF sing STATE; ana ana
though in The language of Tie bill they are called
har6ers, they are not connected with foreign com
merce nor are they places OF refuge or shelter
for our navy, or commercial marine on The ocean
or lake shores. To call the mouth OF creek, or
a shallow inlet on our coast harbor, cannot
confer The authority TO expend The puolic money