Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-03-03

While it is deemed TO be our true policy Iy
o prosecute the war in the manner indica-
ed, and thus make the enemy feel its pres s
ure al nd its evils, shall be at all times
'eady, with the authority conferred on me |
BY the constitution, and with all the means
which may be placed at my command by
Congress to conclude a just and honorablel
peace.
OF equal importance with an energetic
and vigorous prosecution Of the war are
the means required to defray its iexpenses,
and to uphold and maintain the public cred
il.
In my nhhual message Of the 9th De.
cember last, Isubmitted for the considera-
ton Of Congress the propriety Of imposing,
as 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 cof-
fee. A moderate revenue duty on these
articles, it is estimated, would produce an
,nually an amount exceeding two and a
half millions Of dollars
Though in period Of peace, when
ample 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 engaged
in foreign war, and all our resources are
demanded to meet the unavoidable increased
expenditure in maintaining our armies in
the field, no sound reason is perceived why
we should not avail ourselves of the reve.
nues which may be derived from this source
The objections which have heretofore
existed to the imposition of these duties
were applicable to a state of peace, when
they were not needed.
We are now, however, engaged in a
foreign war. We need money 10 prosecute
it, and to maintain the public honor and
credit. II cannot be doubted that the pat
riotic people of the United States would
cheeriully and without complaint, submit
to the payment of this additional duty, or
any other that may be necessary to main
tain the honor Of the country, provide for
the unavoidable expenses of,he government,
and to uphold the public credit. 1t lis re-
commended that any duties which may be
imposed ON these articles be limited in their
duration to the period Of the war.
An additional annual revenue, it is esti.
mated of between half million and
million Of dollars, would be derived from
the graduation and reduction Of the price of q
such of the public lands as have been long :
offered in the market the minimum price
established by the existing laws and have
remained unsold. And, in addition to 9TH t
er reasons commenting the measure TO "a
vorable consideration, it is recommended {
as atfnancial a measure. The duty sug- {
gested on tea and coffee, and the gradu,
tol and reduction Of the price Of the pub
lie lands, would secure an additional annu-
al revenue to the treasury Of not less than {
three millions Of dollars, and would thereby
prevent the necessity of mourning public
debt annually to that amount, the interest
on which mus, be paid semi.annually, and
ultimately the debt itself, by tax on the {
people. |
1T is sound policy, and one which has
'ong been approved by the government and
people oft the United States, never to resort
% loans unless in cases of great public G
and then only for the smallest t.
amount which the public necessities will j
permit. :,
The increased revenues which the meas
Tres now recommended would produce, .
would, moreover, enable the government u
o negotiate loan, for any additional sum d
which may be found to be needed, with c
more facility, and at cheaper rates than
an be done without them.
7 Under the injunction Of the constitution
which makes it my duty, "from time to 6
ime to give to Congress information of "
he state Of the Union, and to recommend q
o their consideration such measures" as !.
hall be judged necessary and expedient," :"
respectfully and earnestly invite the &C. {
ion Of Congress on the measures herein g
resented ior their consideration. The b
ublic good, as well as a sense of my re- y
possibility to our common constituents, in T
ny Judgment, imper iously demand that ,
hould present to your enlightened consid-
'ration, and invoke favorable action upon 5
hem before the close Of the present session s
JAMES X. POLK.
Washington, Feb. l3, l647. !,