Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-03-05

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die or resign. Information has been received at
the War Department Of the resignation Of more
than one hundred Of these officers. They were
appointed by the State authorities, and no inior-
nation has been received, except in a few in
stances, that their places have been filled, and
the efficiency Of the service has been impaired
from this cause. To remedy these defects,
recommend thar authority be given TO accept the
service Of individual volunteers, TO ill up the
places of such as may die, or become unfit for
the service and be discharged, and that provision
be also made for filling the places Of regimental
and company officers who may die or resign
By such provisions, the volunteer corps NAV be
constantly kept full, or may approximate the
maximum number authorized and called into
service in the first instance.
While it is deemed TO be our true policy 70
prosecute the war in the manner indicated and
thus make the enemy feel its pressures and its
evils, shall be at all times ready, with the au-
thority conferred on me by the constitution, and
with all the means which may be placed at my
command by Congress, TO conclude just and
honorable peace.
Ofequal importance with an energetic and vi.
gorous prosecution Of the war, are the means re.
quired to defray its expenses, and to uphold and
maintain the public credit.
In my annual message Of the 9th Of Decem.
Der last, | submitted for the consideration Of
Congress the propriety Of imposing, as a war
measure, revenue duties on some of the articles
now embraced in the free list. The principal
articles now exempt from duty, from which any
considerable revenue could be derived, are Tea
and Ncf1no A Voa1arata I,,sxv fkoea
articles, it is estimated, would produce annually
an amount exceeding two aud half millions Of
dollars. Though in period ofpeace, when am.
pie means could be derived from duties on other
articles for the support of the government, it may
have been deemed proper not to resort to duty
on these articles; yet, when the country is en-.
gagged in a foreign war, and all our sources are
demanded to meet the unavoidable increased ex.
penditure in maintaining our armies in the field
no sound reason is perceived why we should moi
avail ourselves Of the revenue which may be de.
rived from this source. The objections which
have heretofore existed to the imposition of these
duties, were applicable to a state of peace, wheI
they were not needed. We are now, however
engaged in a foreign war. We need money tC
prosecute it, and 10 maintain the public honor
and credit. 1t cannot be doubted that the pat
riotic people of the United States would cheer
fully, and without complaint, submit to this add
tional duty, or any other that may be necessary
TO maintain the honor ofthc country, to provide
for the unavoidable expenses of the government
and to uphold the public credit. 1t is recon-
mended that any duties which may be imposed
on these articles be limited in their duration tc
the period of the war.
An additional annual revenue, it is estimated
of between half million and million of dol
lars, would be derived from the graduation and
reduction Of the price ofsuch of The public land,
as have been long offered in the market at the
minimum price established by the existing laws
and have remained unsold. And in addition to
other reasons commenting the measure to favor
able consideration; it is recommended as a finan-
cial measure. The duty suggested on tea and
coffee, and the graduation and reduction on the
price Of the public lands, would secure an add.
tional annual revenue to the treasury Of not less
than three millions of dollars, and would thereby
prevent the necessity of mcurring public deb
annually to that amount, the interest on which
must be paid semi-annualIy, and ultimately tht
debt itself, by tax on the people.
1t is a sound policy, and one which has lon!
IpCOH "PPIo'Su " 'HN pSNPlC "Hu SO'SthlhSHb v
the United States, never to resort to loans unless
in case Of great public emergency, and then only
for the smallest amount which the public neces
sites will permit.
The increased revenue which the measure,
now recommended would produce, would, more
over enable the government to negotiate a loan
for any additional sum which may be found tC
be needed, with more facility, and at cheaper
rates than can be done without them.
Under the injunction of the constitution which
makes it my duty "lrom time TO time to give tc
Congress information of the state of the Union
and TO recommend to their consideration such
measures" as shall be judged necessary and ex'
pedient," respectfully and earnestly invite the
action of Congress on the measures herein pre-
scented for their consideration. The public good
as we'll as sense Of my responsibility to oul
common constituents, in my judgment, imper
ousIy demand that should present them for YOU
enlightened consideration, and invoke favorable
action upon them before the close of your pre-
sent session.
JAMES X. POLK.
Washington, Feb. 10, 1847.