Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-02-18


acquired New Mexico AID California territory as rch
valuable and fertile any in tho world These lands pn
chased by treaty. about $50 900 Coo This paid
by the raised from portion oI The niJn hSc
from the treasury Or this money The South paid
.nnihs Congress has the power 10 lay and collect
taxes duties IMPORTS md c1"!ses The debts and pro-
vide for the defence and welfare OF the Uni
States and for other purposes The gentlemen on e
other side admit that Congress- by virtue OF this clause oil the
CONSTITUTIONS has right 10 money Tor TIE
purpose OF distribution tho S;aes; that the money 81
raised be appropriate. pay the debts aud pro-
vide for the defence and general wei'ae oi nc
United States and that the power distribute OF give
away the public lands other portion o The pu pro-
perry must be found in another clause u MT IN
strumen But they argue that all the money and other pro-
perty of the country directly obtained through the power
10 "lny and collect is within tho unlimited discretion
Congress- They this this clause Il the Con
stution fhe Congress shall have power 10 dispose oi and
make all necdfu rules and regulations respecting The terrific
~ other property belonging 10 the United States and moth
ing in this constitution shall be so construed as TO prejudice
any claims the United States of particular State
The power conferred upon Congress- extends equally 10
every thing which is property and belongs 10 the United
States; well derived from taxes 10 money de-
rived from the public lands from any other 1t
them Congress cannot distribute the money derived from
taxes but bound TO appropriate II 10 the object o eXpend-
in the clauses granting the power 10 lay
and collect taxes &c.can Congress distribute the lands
among the States which purchased with this money
If money thus raised is common fund.- Is not the pro-
perry in which invested also fund for the be-
nef of al the States? If what right has Congress- the
agent of the States apporton their property among the
separate members of the conedeacy? This Limitation IS
only applicable 10 the appropriation and expenditure oil
money collected from taxes but also all the other
and property, belonging TO tho United States The power
of Congress raise money ard ts expcnc money
aro equal IL raise money 10 pay the public debts &C.,
the United States, and for one objects; and il
pend money pay the debts &c. and for other objects
Congress has power 10 borrow money the credit 81 the
United States and the objects Of expenditure
rated in clause OF the Constitution granting The power
This grant OF power is without limit according the con-
structon adopted by The gentlemen the other side; and
according to their argument the money, thus borrowed
distributed among the States and appropriated to
purpose that Congress in its discretion may direct Con-
gess raise money BY for distribution nor
Congress borrow money 10 distribute similar Limitation
follows this grant of power Upon Inc principle con,ended
OF the United States subject TO any disposition which
Of ihem The ships forts. arms arsenals, backward
navy magazines, public buildings, public lands, and mo-
ney of the Government, may be pari,ioned and divd.
the debts OF the States abolish slavery and m any and
purpose the discretion of Congress may suggest night
and proper for the general welfare The ;hers of the
public never conferred such nonssrous power the Federal
Government; and whenever you seek other objects
defined by the Constitution for expcnd you travel nto
wide field OF uncertainty where construction law
and power executes whaevcr may bs dictated interest,
But the constitutional! question ought 10 be regarded
settled Mr. Clay, in his OF June 10Th 1882 said
it would be unwise and unconstitutional raise duties
distribution among the States thar knew OF principle
in the constitution which authorizes the Federal Government
10 become such collector for the States Of any p.nci
pie OF sasty or proPsy which admits Of the States bsoom'