The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-09-02

rest is passage BY The exercise of Tie veto
power.
Among The difficult subjects that occupied the
attention OF my iiustrions predecessor, while
was member Of his Cabinet. aud Of myself
while President, that of River aud fIarbor Ian
provements by the Federal Government, ocen-
pied a prominent positions.
While the conviction was very general with
ourselves aud others, that large class Of them
was deserving of aid from that quarter, and that
IL could he extended to them without exceeding
the prescribed powers of the Government, all
were strongly impressed with IA deep sense OF
the liabilities 10 abuse, to which the legislation
of Congress upon the subject was unsv oidably
exposed. The matter was one Of earnest and
frequent conference between President Jackson
and myself, during the first two years Of his
first, and the whole Of his last term. The re-
suit was a conviction that no better course could
be adopted than to approve such bills as we were
satisfied came within the class referred TO, and
do all that could be rightfully done by the Ex
ecutive, 10 prevent abuses by appropriations for
objects that were not entitled 10 the aid of the
Federal Government. The appropriations for
River and Harbor Improvements contained in
acts Of Congress approved during our respective
administrations will show the result of that
convictions; and | know Of nothing that would
prevent me from pursuing the same course II |
should again occupy the office Of President
The subject Is one of vast importance, and we'll
deserving the attention bestowed upon it by the
Chicago Convention Of last year | have not
before me the letter addressed by my lamented
friend, Gov. Wright, to that body, but was
strongly and fayorably impressed by the views
he expressed upon the general subject
The views which have for many years en-
tertained in regard to the best disposition by
Congress, Of the Public Lands, have been re-
Gently set forth in my published letter TO the
Industrial Congress" They were:
First. That Congress ought TO act upon the
principle, that the United States have a greater
interest in the early settlement and substantial
improvement Of the Public Lands, than in the
amount Of revenue which may be derived from
them.
tracts, in few hands, should be discOu nte
and
Thirdly. That liberal facilities ought to be
afforded for the acquisition of small portions, by
such Of our citizens, wherever residing, as are
in good faith DESTROYS of possessing them as
homes for themselves and their families. These
opinions were announced as far back as 1885,
while candidate for the Presidency. I set forth
also in my letter TO the Industrial Congress, the
recommendations | had, while President, made
TO Congress, and the acts had approved 10 pro
mote the policy ] had avowed The general
principles have sustained upon the subject Of
the disposition Of the Public Lands, are in har-
mOny with the resolution Of the Convention,
with this difference; that while the Convention
propose free grants Of limited quantities, for ac-
tual settlement, the farthest that had gone was
to recommend grants Of portions of them al
prices little, IL anything more than sufficient TO
defray the expenses Of survey and location
The policy 20 which have so long adhered,
and for the success Of which have been sin
cerely solicitous, makes the early, and as far as
practicable, substantial settlement nj of the Public
Lands, the principal and the revenue derived
from the sales of them, secondary and COM
para,iyely unimportant object.
! regard the question 81 revenue as only i'm
portant, because il affords prospect Of securing
regularity and a greater degree OF stability in
the settlements. If plan can be devised by
which these objections would, in all reasonable
probability, be as well effected as they can BY
the execution Of pecuniary consideration from
the settlers, the REIMBURSEMENT Of that consider.
alton would, with me, be no objection 10 the
measure. From a report Of the Committee on
Public Lands, which has lately been forwarded
10 me, Il appears that the sales of the Public
Lands have been pledged 10 the public creditors
for one of the loans Of the last year II this /.
80 Congress will, without doubt, il any plan fol
the free gift OF any portion. of the Public Lands
TO actual settlers should hereafter find favor il
their eyes, that the objection arising from TIN:
cause be, IN some rOpm way, Obuated. Come
what may, the good faith Of the Nation must al
ways DC scupulously maintained.
Ny opinions in regard 10 the Protective Du
ties ami the best sources OF Revenue, were yer,
| fully given ln myletteT to tie Indiana COnycn
| ton in 1913, which was extensively published
| and they are the same now. |, on that occasion
| gave my reasons FOR regarding the system OF tax
| alton n force in the States, viz a Direct Tia,
upon Assessed property, as more equal and equi
table than system OF Duties upon Imports.
gave also my reasons foI believing that Quite.
on Imports would for long time continue 10 b,
used, as the mode by which the Federal Govern
ment would collect its revenues, in preference
| to resort tO direct taxation. Although the lat
ter policy is, ] believe, steadily gaining in tn
public mind, its advance has not yet beef
sufficient to authonze Us 10 expect its earl,
adoption.
In the meantime the Government must hay
revenue for its support, and the very heavy deb
which II las recently incurred ought to be pai
| as soon as practicable. Under these circum
stances aoquiesce in the resolve of the Conven
ton, that the means for these purposes should b
raised by a Revenue Tanf,
have deemed II due to the Convention, am
| TO the occasion, TO depart thus much from tn
rule which prescribed TO myself in my letter I
the Industrial Congress, in regard 10 farther e.
positions OF my opinions upon public question:
Having done so, ] shall, for the rest OF the cal
vsss, adhere TO that rule, and leave the whcl
matter in the hands OF the people, with who's
disposition OF II all should be, and ceTtsinl
viii BE, satisfied.
am, gentlemen,
T: Very respectfully your friend
NJ. VAN buren,.
, BENJAMIN F. BUrLER, JosEPH L. WHITE al
SALMON p. CHAsI, Esqs., Committee Of Blu
falo Convention