Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-04-28
POWcrOf the President TO Levy
Duties in Mexican Ports.

We are glad to find the following article in
the htetigencer, expressive of our views, and
coming within our limits.
While one sees, with deep modification, the
hot haste with which mere party men, follow
ing the lead of the Government, rush to the sup
port of every Executive usurpation: and while
one sees also, with regret and pain, that some
men, not devoted to the Administration, in their
natural exultation at the success of our arms,
do not pause to consider whether the institutions
of the country and the public liberty have not
fallen into reckless hands, it is get consoling to
find that there are men of all parties wise and
patriotic enough TO prefer the Constitution of
their country to the triumps of Party, or the
triumphs of War. 1t is with feelings gratilied
by an instance of this honorable independence
and devoted public spirit, that we lay the follow
ing letter before our readers. 1t is written By
gentleman of character, of mach experience
in public affairs, aud not likely to be particu-
larry prejudiced against the Administrations av-
ing been an early and important friend of Gen.
Jackson, and filled high stations under him and
under his successor Mr.. Van Buren,. The rea-
soning of this letter is close and to the point
HIS reference to constitutional provisions are
correct, pertinent. and as we think, most con-
elusive.
Sentiments so just, so well stated, and so i'm
portant ought to command the attention of ev-
cry man who preferst the safety of the Const-
tuition to Military triumph and Party ascen-
dency.
"Dear Sir: If it will not encroaah too much
upon your time YOU will do me great favor by
giving me your opinion as to the power of
the President to establish revenue system in
the ports of Mexico captured by the armies OF
the United States.
"My opinion, certainly notsworth much, is,
that he has no such po,cer. The constitution
provides that the Congress shall have power
"lst. TO raise and support armies; but no zap
preparation of money to that use shall be for a
'longer term than two years.
90. To make all laws necessary for carrying
into execution all other powers vested by this
constitution in the Government of the United
States, or in any other department OR OFFICER
thereof
8. TO declare war, &c., and make rules con-
corning captures on land and water
ssUnder the last clause is not the power as
sumed by the President to make rules concer-
ming captured ports, sc. ION land) giren to Con
grossly the constitution expressly, and there
fore, NOT IN THE PRESIDENT
"Second, The President assumes that, in or
der to carry out his powers as commander-in-
chief, he has the right to make edits, DEGREES,
or laws which shall go 'ern the people of all the
world having commercial intercourse with Mex
leo. Now, under the constitution, it might he
said that CONGRESS had the power to make
such edits, DEGREES, or laws, if they became nee
essary and proper to carry out the powers of
the President as an officer Of the GOVERNMENT
of the U. States.
"Ihnd. Congress is to raise and support ar
mics, but for no longer, by one appropriation,
than two years. Now the President assumes
the power, by system, to continue as long as
he pleases to support armies. He alone having
the power to negotiate, he may continue this
system during the residue OF his term of Office,
even if Mexibo should sue for peace and offer
just terms.
'lt seems to be power contrary to the let
ter, and certainly the whole spirit of this clause
of the constitution.
"T'he Federalist," No. SO, says: 2. The
President is to be commander.in-chief Of the ar
my and navy of the United States. In this
respect his authority would be nominally the
same with that ofthe King of Great Britain,
but in substance much inferior to it. 1t would
amount to NOTHING MORE than the supreme
command and direction of the military and ma
val forces as first general and admiral OF the
Confederacy, while that of the British King ex-
tends to the declaring Of ,Uar and to the raj
sing and regulating of fleets and armies: all
which, by the constitution under consideration,
would appertatn to the Legislature"