Columbia telescope. (Columbia, S.C.) 1828-1839, December 17, 1836, Image 2
1 ' ^ ?
;& favo^i,aiJ<vIt^|)oi t of the ommiitee on Claim *, cm
* \ \
^ - lipi u^-'P Special Committee on so much of the
?oT?fi>or^ MeSage as^iroposes th^erection of a Governor's House, was portpo
fed to tlie 1st day of Jaiiakry next.
* Report of the Medical Committee on the petitions in behalf of the Thom
loniorrjfractitioners of Medicine, was ordered to be laid on the table.
The House concurred in the Report of the Judiciary Committee of the Senate
grauting leave of absence from the State to Jud?e Gailtt.
The foNowing Bills were laid on the table :
"A Bill to incorporate the Savannah and C{vir]esjon Steam Packet Company,"
"A to incorporate the Charleston and New York Steam Packet Company."
and ^ - j
4 A Bill to alter the name and amend the Charter of the Nesbitt Manufacturing
Company."- s
A Bill to repeal the laws regulating the licensing of Physicians to practice
Medicine," was ordered to be laid on the table and be printed. '
u A to repeal certain Acts therein mentioned," was postponed to the
1st day of January next.
" A Bill to percent the harboring of deserted seamen, and to protect sailors
irom the fraudd^K practices of their Landlords/' was referred to the Charles
ton Delegation.
A Bill to require the Boards of the Commissioners of the Poor in the
several Districts and Parishes in this btate, to make an annual Report of their
proceedings to the Comptroller General, and for other purposes," was referred
to the Committee of Ways and Means.
A Bill to^ require Plaintifts in the Courts of Law to give security for the
costs in certain cases, was referred to the Committee on ^he Judiciary.
"A Bill to create the office of Auditor and for other panoses," was referred
to the Committee of Ways and Means. j %
The following Bills were read the second tune and ordered to the Senate ?
" A Bill to increase the penalty for giving a ticket or penint to a slave under
certain circumstances." , -^V >
^ A Bill to authorize the State Bank to i ? create its-V^pitaL" ^ v
" A Bill to increase the number of Commissioners ^oi^jFree 3^ioc^$ for Lex
ington District.*' ;
M,A Bill to vest the real estate of A. HutciHfl&e?i inCharlestoniin- Charles
P. Muilins ctnd Ann P. Davenport."
" A Bill to regulate the fees of the Ordinaries olftfijs State for receiving and
paying over money." ' '
M A BilL.to alter and amend the Charter of the city of Charleston and for
other purposes therein mentioned." And,
" A Bill to authorize $ihe formation of the Sumter and Darlington Rail Road
Company."
The House then took a recess till 1-2 past 6 o'clook, when business was re
sumed.
Mr. Arthur from the committee on \ acant Offices, made a Report which was
considered and agreed to.
The following Bills from the Senate, were read the second time in this House
and ordered to be returned.
" A Bill to establish and incorpprate a Bank in the Town of Georgetown."
" A BiH to^ alter the uame and amend the Charter of the Nesbitt Manufac
turing Company."
" A Bill to change the place of holding the Courts for Beaufort District, and
for building a Court House and Gaol at Gillisonville."
" A BiH to incorporate certain Societies and-^nnew and amend certain Char
ters, " was read the second time and ordered toT>e sent to the Senate.
SENATE.
. ? Wednesday, Dec. 14th, 1836.
Tbe Senate met pursuant to adjournment.
The Committee on Finance submitted a Report on a Bill to provide for the
reception and appropriation of the Surplus Revenue ? ordered for consideration
tomorrow and to be printed ; also Reports on the petitions of M. Montgomery ,
now Alien, R. B. Smith, and on a report from the House on the petition of A.
Faulkner*
Reports were submitted and ordered for consideration tomorrow :
By the Committee on Claims on the petitions of E. L. Henegan, and J. E.
, Grist, and sundry individuals, relating to horses lost in the ? Florida campaign,
which was laid on the table; ?
A Bill to increase the powers of the Town Council of Camden in relation to
fixation, was read the second time and sent to the House.
Favorable reports were submitted on the disbursement, of the Poor Fund of
Georgetown, on the petitions of J. Bradwell, J. May and others ; sundry citizens of
St. George Dorchester ; B. H. Saxon, Purse & M'Carter, W. L. Btrunson ; citizens
of Williamsburg, relating 'to Mingo creek : Downs, Wl&e & Co, J. Douglass,
the Camden and- Charleston Steam Boat Company ; also-* on resolutions, relating
to printing the Journals of the Legislature daily ; relai^i- to refunding money to
J. K.Douglass; which were agreed to.
Mr. Gregg fiom tbe committee on the College, submitted a report, relating to an
appropriation fot the South Carolina College, which was ordered for considera
tion to-morrow and to be printed.
The Senate jdined in baHot for a Commissioner and Register in Equity for
Kershaw District, wheg J. Wr. Lang was elected.
Mr.-AJston withdrew the petition of the Commissioners of Poor of Prince
A Report on a Bill to prevent the issue of Mutilated Bank Notes, was sub
mitted, which; with the Bill, was ordered to be printed.
A Report, concurring in a Report from the House, on the Memorial of the
Apprentices Library Society of Charleston, was agreed to.
Unfavorable Reports were taken up, on the petitions of sundry citizens of
Sumter Bistrict, and J. Inabnit, and were agreed to.
A* Report from tbe House, on the Petition of the Commissioners of Public
Buildings of York District, was disagreed to.
The Senate concurred in a Resolution from the House appointing a Coroner
for Edgefield District ? also in Reports on the Petitions of C. W% Miller, J
Gordon and B. H. Warren.
Reports from the House oa the accounts of A. S. Johnston, J. R. & W. Cun
niugham, Dr. Caegel, and on a Resolution relating to J ohn Sargent, were refer
red to the Committee on Claims.
A Report on a Resolution relating to Simon Verdier, was referred to the J u
diciary Committee. r
A Report on the Petition of J. J. Abemethr^was referred to the Committee
on Finance, and th? Reports on the Petitions of A. P. Collins, J. Osnald^J.
Walkinetoa and Man' Jones, were referred to the Committee on Roads, Bridges
and Ferries. ? , ? , . ,
Tbe Committee ou Finance were discharged from the further consideration
of tbe petition of W. W inga^e.
A Message was received Yroo? the Governor concerning a Communication
front the War Department, Vhich. was read and referred to the Committee on
Federal Relations; also, c ^ r r i o i_
A Message respecting the enlarging h;e salaries of the 1 rofessors of the feouth
Carolina College; read and referred to the Committee on College.
Reports were submitted on a Bill to incorporate the Charleston Hotel Company,
and on the Governors accounts, which were ordeicd for consideration to-morrow.
' A Bill further to provide for the Military organization of the State, was laid on
the table
A BiH to amend the Charter of Louisville, the incin'iuti and Charleston Rail
Road Company, was read tbe second time and sent to tbe House.
A Resolution, that the State should subscribe to the above company, w*as taken
op and made the special order of the day for to-morrow -at 1 o'clock.
" A Bill to incorporate the Charleston and N.York Steam Packet Company ; also,
A Bill to establish a line for extending wharves in Charleston ; and
A Kill to increase the pay of Jurors, were read the first time.
A Bill to investin certain persons the right of the State in certain real estate in
in Charleston District, was read the 3d time and sent to the House.
Adjourned
SENATE.
Thursday, Dec. 15, 1836.
The Senate met pursuant to adjournment.
" ' Mr. Henegan presented the petition of sundry citizens of Marlborough Dis
trict, praying an appropriation to improve the Pee Dee River; ieferred to the
Committee on Internal Improvements*
Mr. Evans, from the Committee on Pensions, submitted^ Reports on the pe
titions of John Steyplamyer, F. Kuowlton, and Charles Smith, and on a Bill
to xlter the pension law. Ordered for consideration tomorrow.
Mr. Hamilton, from the Committee ou Federal Relations, submitted a Re
pert on so much of the Governor's Message as relates to the relations of our
country with Mexico and Texas, and on the report of the same committee of
the H.' of R. on the same subject. Made tbe special order of the day for Sat
urday, and to be printed.
Mr. Poinsett, from special committee, submitted a Keport on the petiDon at
aS B Quinby. Also, from Committee on Schools, submitted a Report on the
Report of the* Attorney General on the Ludlum School fund.
- Mr De Treville, from the Committee on Claims, submitted Reports on the
oetitions of J. T. Seibels, and on the Reports of the Committee on Claims , of
' fiTof R. ou the claims of John Sargeant, J. R. & W. Curmingham, and Dr,
argill.
i Mr. Higgins, from ihe Committee on Finance, submitted Reports on the
Memorial of Duff Green, and on Reports of the Committee of Ways and
[ Means of H. of R. on the petitions of John Walker, and P. J. Shand, Ex'r
of S. Baron.
Mr. Simpson, from the Committee on Internal Improvements, submitted le
I ports on the resolution to euquire the cause of the dilapidated state of the road
across Vance's Swamp ? petitions of G Coogler; sundry citizens of Sumter to
clear out Lyjich's Creek; Dyer Tally; memorial, of citizens and Town Coun
cil of Columbia ; on resolution to appropriate $200 for Elliott's Cut; application
to imnrovc the nayi^ion of Peedee River j and or the Report of the Superin
tendent of Public Works.
Mr Gregg, from the Committee on the Judiciary, submitted reports on the 2nd,
3d and 4ih presentments of the Grand Jury of Lexington, Fall Term, 1&36 ; and
on a bill to amend the law in relation to the liabilities of the sureties of Sheriffs,
i Mr Hamilton presented the petition of the Cadet Riflemen, for payment of ex
pense of repairing ai ms ? referred to the Committee on Claims; also,
The petition of the Whig Association, praying for incorporation; and of the
Charitable Society of tlip Cadet Riflemen, for incorporation.
The report of the Committee on Roads of the House of Representatives 011 the
petitions of A P Collins, John Oswald, John Walkington and Mary Jones, for a
charter of the Jacksonborough Ferry, was taken up, and Message sent to the
House.
The special order of the day was then taken up.
A Bill to confer banking privileges on the Louisville, Cincinnati and Charles
j ton Rail Road Company, on certain terms, was read a second time and sent t3
the House of Representatives.
The report of the joint committee, on that part of the Governor's Message re
lating to a subscription on the part of the State to the Louisville, Ciucinnati and
1 Charleston Rail Road Company, was taken up. Mr Patterson offered a substi
tute, which, on motion of Mr. Bauskett, was made the special order of the day
I for to-morrow, and ordered to be printed.
A Bill further to provide foi the military organization of this State.
A Bill to incorporate the Charleston Hotel Company.
A Bill establishing a line beyond which the W harves shall not be extended in
Charleston, and for other purposes and
[ A Bill to incorporate the Charleston "and New York Steam Boat Company ;
were read a second time and sent to the House of Representatives.
A Bill to increase the number of Commissioners of Free Schools for Lexing
ton District; and
A Bill to authorize the State Bank to increase its capital ; were read the first
time.
The Committee on Claims reported on the petition of E. L. Henegan, recom
mending the payment of the sum of $49 04 : and on that of E. Grist, that of
?7 50 be paid.
The Special Committee appointed to examine the Governor's accounts, repor
ted that they had performed that duty, and found them correct. That of the
sum appropriated for military purposes, a balance of $1,814 17, remains in Bank
? of the contingent fund proper, $6,095 70 ? and of the appropriation of $10,000
for building an Arsenal in Columbia!, $2,260. The report was agreed to.
The Committee on Finance was discharged from the further consideration of
the Memorial of R. B. Smith, Attorney General, concerning the salary of his
office, *
The Committee on Finance submitted reports on the petitions of M. Mont
gomery, (now Allen) and Amos Faulkner, which were agreed toi
The House of Repre sentatives returned with their concurrence a Resolution
appointing a day of adjo urament.
The report of the Judiciary Committee, on the petition of Judge Gantt, was
agreed to and sent to the House.
The House sent for concurrence a Resolution to authorize the Governor to fit
up an Executive Office in the State House ; and
Report of the Committee on Claims on the petition of the Executor of Gen.
Earle, which were agreed to.
The reports of the committee on claims of the House on the petitions of R.
Nesbitt, Levy Gray, and W. Wiiigate, were referred to the committee on claims.
The report of the committee of the House, on the petitions of sundry citizens
of Beaufort ; on resolution relative to purchasing the Union Ferry Turnpike,
and counter memorial of the Stockholders of said company, was referred to the
committee on roads, bridges and jferries.
A report of the committee on v^acant Offices was ordered for consideration
to-morrow.
The reports of the committee of the House on the petitions of E. L. Hene
gan and C. Walton, were laid on the table.
Mr. -Gregg, from the committee on the Judiciary, submitted e. report on the
Presentments of the Grand Jury of Newberry and Lexington, and on a bill to
increase the pay of Grand and Petit Jurors; ordered foT consideration tomorrow.
A Committee was appointed to confer with Committee of the House, in ref
lation to the Jacksonborough Ferry.
A recess was taken until half past 6 o'clock.
A bill to increase the penalty for giving a permit to a slave, under certain cir
cumstances.
A bill to vest the real estate of Ann Hutchison, in C. P. Muilins and Ann P.
Davenport; and
A bill to regulate the fees of the Ordinaries of this State for receiving and
paying over money; were read the first time and rqferred to the Judiciary Com
mittee.
A bill to alter and amend the Charter of the city of Charleston, and for other
purposes therein mentioned, was read the first time.
A bill to establish and incorporate a Bank in the town of Georgetown.
A bill to change the place of holding the courts for Beaufort District, and for
. building a Court House and Jail at Gillisonville ; and
A bill to alter the name and amend the Charter of the Nesbitt Iron Manufac
turing Company ; were read the third time and sent to the House.
A bill to authorise the formation of the Sumter and Darlington Railroad Com
pany ; and
A bill to incorporate certain Societies, and to renew and amend the Charters of
certain villages ; were read the first time.
The committee of Conference on Jacksonbrough Ferry, reported, recommend
ing a Charter to be granted to John Oswald and Mary Jones, lor eight years ;
which was agreed to. Adjourned.
I MESSAGE.
OF T1IE
PRESIDENT OP THE UNITED STATES,
Transmitted to both Houses of Congress,
December 6, 1836.
Fellow-Citizens of the Senate ,
and House cf Representatives.
Addressing: to you the last annual message
I shall ever present to the Congress of the
United States, it is a source of the most heart
felt satisfaction to be able to congratulate
you on the high state of prosperity which
our beloved country has attained. With no
causes at home or abroad to lessen the con
fidence v> ith which we look to the future for
continuing proofs of the capacity of our free
institutions to produce all the fruits of good
government, the general condition of our
affairs may well excite our national, pride.
1 cannot avoid congratulating you, and my
country particularly, on the success of the
efforts made during my administration by the
Executive and Legislature, in conformity with
the sincere, constant, and earnest desirj of
i the People, to maintain peace and establish
cordial relations wiih all foreign Powers. Our
gratitude is duo to the Supreme Ruler of the
Universe, and I invite you to unite with me
in offering to hirfi fervent supplication that
his providential care may ever be extended
to those who foilow us, enabling thfcm to
avoid the dangers and the horrors of war,
consistently with a just and indispensable re?
gard to the rights and honor of our country.
But, although the present state of our foreign
affairs, standing without important change as
they did when you separated in July last, is
flattering in the extreme, I regret to say that
many questions of an interesting character, at
issue with other Powers, are yet unadjusted.
Amongst the most prominent of these is that
of our northeastern boundary. With an un
diminished confidence in the sincere desire
of his Britannic Majesty's Government to
; adjust that question, I am not yet in posses
| sion of the precise grounds upon which it pro?
poses a satisfactory adjustment.
With France, our diplomatic relations have
been resumed, and under circumstances which
aftest the disposition of both Governments to
preserve a mutually beneficial intercourse, and
toster those amicable feelings which are so
strongly required by the true interests of the
two countries. With Russia, Austria, Prus
sia, Naples, Sweden, and Denmark, the best
understanding exists, and our commercial in
tercourse is gradually expanding itself with
them. It is encouraged in all these countries
except Naples, by their mutually advantageous
aud liberal treaty stipulations with us.
The claims of our citizens on Portugal are
admitted to be just, but provision tor the pay
ment of them has been unfortunately delayed
by frequent political changes in that king
dom.
The blessings of peace have not been se
cured by Spam. Our connexions w;th that
country are on the best fooling, with the ex
ception of the burdens still imposed upon our
commerce with her possessions out of Eu
rope.
The claims of American citizens for losses
sustained at the bombardment of Antwerp
Wve been presented to the Government o
Holland and Belgium, and will be pressed,
in due season, to settlement.
With Brazil, and ail our neighbors of this
continent, we continue to maintain relations
of amity and concord, extending our com
merce with them as far as the resources of
ibe people and the policy of their govern
ments will permit. The just and long-stand
ing claims of our citizens upon some of them
aro yet resources of dissatisfaction and com
plaint. No danger is apprehended, however,
that they will not be peaceable, although tard
ily acknowledged & paid by all, unless the irri
tating effect of her struggle with Texas should
unfortunately make our immediate neighbor,
Mexico, an exception.
It is already known to you, by the corres
pondence between the two Governments, com
municated at your last session, that our con
duct in relation to that struggle is regulated
by the same principles that governed us it
the dispute between Spain and Mexic.? her
self ; and 1 trust that it will be found, on
tho most severe scrutiny, that our acts have
strictly corresponded with our professions.
That the inhabitants of the United States
should teel strong prepossessions for the one
party, is not surprising. But this circum
stance should, of itself, teach us great cau
tion, lest it lead us into the great error of
suffering public policy to be- regulated by
partiality or prejudice ; and there are con
aiderationa connected with the pois.ble re
sult of this contest between the two parties
of so much delicacy and importance to the
United States, that our character requires
that we should neither anticipate events, nor
attempt to control them. The known de
sire of the Texans to become a part of our
system, although its gratification depends up.
on the reconcilement of various and con
flicting interests, necessarily a work of time,
and uncertain in itself, is calculated to ex
pose our conduct to misconstruction in the
eyes of the world. There are already thofce |
who, indifferent to principle themselves, and
prone to suspect the want of it m others,
charge us with ambitious designs and insid
ious policy. You will perceive by the ac
companying documents, that the extraordi
nary mission from Mexico has been termi
nated, 01 the sole grounds that the obliga
tions of this Government to itself and to
Mexico, under treaty stipulations, have com
pelled me to trust a discretionary authority
to a high officer of our Army, to advance in
to territory claimed as partof Texas, if ne
cessary, to protect our own or the neighbor
ing frontfer from Indian depredation. In the
opinion of the Mexican functionary, who has 1
just left us, the honor of his country will be
wounded by American soldiers entering, with
the most amicable avowed purposes, upon
ground from which the followers of his Go
vernment have been expelled, and over which
there is at present no 'certainty of a serious
effort on its part being made to re-establish
its dominion. The departure of this min ster
was the more singular, as h i. was apprized
that the sufficiency of the causes assigned for
the advance of our troops by the commanding
General had been seriously doubted by tne,
and that there was every reason to suppose
that the troops of the United States, their
commander having had time to ascertain the
i truth or falsehood of the information upon
which they had been marched to Nacogdo^
ches, would be either there in perfect accord
ance with the principles admitted to be just
in his conference with the Secretary of State
by the Mexican minister himself, or were
already withdrawn in consequence of the
impressive warnings their commanding officer
had received from the Department of War.
It is hoped and believed that his Government
will take a more dispassionate and just view
of this subject, and not be disposed to con
strue a measure of justifiable precaution,
made necessary by its known inability in
the execution of the stipulations of our treaty
to act upon the frontier, into an encroachment
upon its rights or a stain upon its honor.
In the mean time, the ancient complaints
of injustice, made on behJf of our citizens,
are disregarded, and new causes of dissatis
faction have ariscp, some of them of a char
acter requiring prompt remonstrance, and
ample and immediate redress; I trust, how
ever, by tempering firmness with courtesy,
and acting with great forbearance upon every
incident that has occurred, or that may hap
pen, to do stod to obtain justice, and thus
avoid the necessity of again bringing this
subject to the view of Congress.
It is my duty to remind you that no pro
vision has been made to execute our treaty
with Mexico for tracing the boundary line
between the two countries. Whatever may
be the prospect of Mexico's soon being ajle
to execute the treaty on its part, it is proper
that we should be, in anticipation, prepared
at all times to perform our obligations, with
out regard to the probable condition ot those
with whom we have contracted th?*n).
The result of the confidential inquiries
made into the condition and prospccts of the
newly declared Texan Government will be
communicated to you in the course of the
session. . . ,
Commercial treaties, promising great ad
vantages to our enterprising merchants and
navigators, have been formed with the distant
Governments of Muscat and Si am. The
ratifications have been exchanged,, but have
not reached the Department of State. Co
pies of the treaties will be transmitted to you
if received before, or published, if arriving
after the close of the present session ot Con
^ Nothing has occurred to interrupt the
good understanding that has long existed with
the Barbary Powers, nor to check the good,
will which is gradually grcwing up in our
intercourse, with the dominions of the Gov
ernment of the distinguished chief of the Ot
toman Empire. . ~
Informaticn has been received at the Des
partment of State that a treaty with the bin
peror of Morocco has just been negotiated,
which, I hope, will be received in tune to be
laid before the Senate previous to the close
of the session.
You will perceive, from the report of the
Secretary of the Treasury, that the financial
means of the country (fbntinue to keep pace
with its improvements in all other respects.
The receipts into the Treasury during lh0 P'?f
ent year will amount to about $47,6Jl,SUd,
those from customs being estimated 1 at $22,.
523,151; those from lands at about $<,4,UUU,
000; and the residue from miscellaneous sour
ces. Theexpenditures-for all objects, during
the year, are estimated not to exceed
000,000, which will leave a balance in the
Treaaurv for public purposes on the first . day
of January next, of about $41,723,959. rins
sum, with the exception of five millions, wi
be transferred to the several States, in accord
ance with the provisions of the act regulating
the depositcs of the public money.
The unexpended balances of appropriation
on the'first day of January next are cstima
ted ai f 14,636,062, exceeding by $9 ,6db, Ub2
the amount which will be left in ^
banks, subject to the draft of the 1 re ? ^
of the United States, after the contemplated
transfers to the several States are made. 1 ,
therefore, the future receipts should not be
sufficient to meet those ou,stand,ngand u.?rc
appropriations, there may be soon a necissity
to use a portion of the funds deposited with
lhTheconsequences apprehended when the
deposite act of the last session received a
reluctant approval, have been me"8u?b'L^
alized. Though an act merely f?: 'IR
site of the surplus moneys of 'Hie Uuie
States in the State treasuries for fcate keep
fn" untluhey may be wanted for the service of
the General Government^ has been extensiv
ly spoken of as an act to give the inciiey to tfie
several States, and they have ^na.lvisedlo
use it asa gift, wit bout , regard to the rn .ans
of refunding it when called lor. Such a sug
gestion has?doubtless been made without a due
consideration of the obligation of the depositc
act, and without a proper attention ? the va
rious principles and interests which are affec -
[-d by it. It is manifest that the law t,e f
cannot sanction such a suggestion, and that,
as it now stands, the Slates have no more
authority to receive and use these deposRcs
without intending to return . V n tomnorar v
deposite bank, or any individual tim pora
charged with the safe keeping or application
rf the public money, would now have for
converting the sane to their private use
without The consent and against '*
of the Government. But, independently of
thp violation of the public faith and mi ral ob
ligation which are involved in this suggestion,
when examined in reference lo the terms of
the present deposite act, it is believed t/%1
Hie considerations which should govern the
future legislation of Congress on this subject
will be equally conclusive against the adap
tion of any measure recognising the princi*
pies on which the suggestion has been made.
Considering the intimate connexion of U?sr
subject with the financial interests of the coftv*
try, and its great importance in wliatever as
pect it can be viewed, I have bestowed upon
ii the most anxious reflection; and feel it to be
; my duty to siate to Congress such thought* a*
have occurred to me, to aid their deliberation
in treating it in the manner best calculated to*
conduce to the common good.
1 lie experience of other nations admon
ished us to hasten the extinguishment of the
public debt ; but it will be in vain that we hare
congratulated each other upon the disappear
ance of this evil, if we do not guard against
the equally great one of promoting the unne%
cetsary accumulation of public revenue. No
political maxim is better established than that
winch tolls us that an improvident expends
ture of money is the parent of profligacy, and
that 110 people can hope to perpetuate their'
i liberties, who long acquiesce m a policy which
taxes them for objects not necessary to the'
legitimate and real wants of their Government.
Fiatler?ng as is the condition of our country
at the present period, because of its unexam*
pled advance in all the steps of social and*
political improvem -nt, it cannot be disguised
that tiiere is a lurking danger already sppa
rent in the neglect of this warning truth* and
that the time has arrived when the representa
tives of the people should be employed in de
vising some more appropriate remedy than
now exists to avert it. *
Under our present revenue system, there m
every probability that there will continue tO"
be a surplus beyond the wantsof the Govern
mem ; and it has become our duty to decide
whether such a result be consistent with tbe'
true objects of our Government.
Should a surplus be permitted to accumu
late beyond the appropriations, it must be'
retained in the Treasury as it now is, or die*
tributed among the People or the States.
I o retain it in the Treasury unemployed in'
i any way, is impracticable. It is, besides,
against the genius of our free institution* Uk
lock up in vaults the treasure of the nation.
1 o take from the people the right of bearing '
arms, and put their weapons of defence in the
hands of a standing army, would be scarcely
more dangerous than to permit the Govern
ment to accumulate immense amounts of trea>
sure beyond the supplies necessary to its le
gitimate wants. Such a treasure would doubt
less be employed at some time, as it has been*
in other countries, when opportunity tempted
ambition.
To Collect it merely for distribution to the*
States, would seem to be highly impoliticr
if nut as dangerous as the proposition to retain
i Win the Treasury. Thi shortest reflection*
must satisfy every one that to require the
people to pay taxes to the government merely
that they may be. paid back again, is sporting
with the substantial interests of the country,
and no system which produces s ach a result,
can be expected to receive the public counter
nance. Nothing could be gained by it, even
if each individual who contributed a portion of
the tax could receive back promptly the same
portion. But it is apparent that no system of
the kind can ever be enforced, which will not
absorb a considerable portion of the money to
be distributed in salaries and commissions to -
the agents employed in the process, and in the
variuus losses and depreciations which, arise
from other causes; and the practical effect of
such an attempt must ever be to burden the
people with taxes, not for purposes beneficial*
!o them but to swell the profits of deposite
banks, and support a bandtof useless public
officers. " '-"v
A distribution to the people is impracticable'
and unjust in other respects. It would be ta.
king one man's property, and giving it to
another. Such would be the unavoidable re- -
suit of a rule of equality, (and none other
s-okeu of, or would be likely to be adopted.) in- ?
asmuch as there is no mode by which thetmount
of the individual contributions of our citiuns
to the public revenue can be ascertained.
We know that they contribute unequally? ?
and a role, therefore, that would distribute to*
them equally would be liable to all the objec
tions which apply to the principle of an equal*
division of property. To make the General*
Government^he instrument of carrying this -
odious principle into effect, would be at ooce '
to destroy the means of its usefulness, and
change the character designed lor it by the*
framer? of the constitution. v
But the more extended and injurious conse-*
quences likely to result from a policy which
would collect a surplus revenue for the purpose *
of distributing it- may beforcibly illustrated by
an examination of the effects already produced'
by the present deposite act. This act, al
though certainly designed to secure the safe
keeping of the pubiic revenue, is not entirely-'
free inlts tendencies from any ot the objec
tions which apply to this principle of distribu
tion. The Government had, without necessi
ty, received from the people a large surplus,'
which, instead of being employed as hereto
fore, and returned to them by means of the '
public expenditure, was deposited with sundry-'
banks. The banks proceeded to make loans'
upon this surplus, and thus converted it into'
banking capital ; and in this manner it has
tended to multiply bank charters, and has had i
a threat agency in producing a spirit of wiJd1
speculation. The possession and use of the
property out of which this surplus was crea^?
ted belonged to the people ; but the gov rn*
ment has transferred its possession to incorpo^
ra'cd banks, whose interest and effort is to4
make large profits out of ii-; use. This pro
cess need only be stated to show its injustice
and bad policy.
And the Fame observations apply to the '
influence which is produced by the seeps ne
cessary to collect as well 8s to distribute such
! a revenue. About three fifths of all the dutfes
! on imports are paid in the city of New York, ?
but it is obvious that the means to pay those '
duties are drawn from every quarter of the 1
Union. Every citizen in every State, who'
purchases and consumes an article which has
paid a duty at that port, contributes to the ac-j j
cumulating mass. The surplus collected i
there must5, therefore, be made up of moneys ?
or property withdrawn from other points and -
other States. Thus the wealth and business'
of every region from which these surplus funds ?
proceed must be to some extent injured, while *
that of the place where the funds are . eocv
centrated and are employed in banking is pro
portionably extended. Bu'? both in leaking
1 the transfer of the funds which are fxwt ne
cessary to pay the dutier and collect fthe sur- -
plus, and in making the re-transfer which be
comes necessary when the time afrives for
the distribution of thr,t surplus, Iharp is a con- ?
siderablc period wl'.en the furvefc cannot .be ?
brought into use ; and it is manifest that, be-.
8ides&the loss inevitable from. such an opera
tion, its tendency is to proves fluctuations ins
the business of t'ne county which are alwaji-#
productive of s f)eculauwy,and:.detrimenwj^
the interests of regular trade. ArgumfiAii
can scarcely "be nee jgsary -.to show th?* aatcf?*