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tb&Hiand dollars of what was huteloloro re- |
ported by the Department as not effective. j
Os former appropriations it is estimated that ;
there will remain unexpended at the close of
the year, eight millions two thousand nine
hundred and twenty five dollars, and that of
(his sum there will not be required more than
five millions one hundred and forty one thou
sand nine hundred and sixty four dollars, to
accomplish the objects of all the current ap
propriations. Thus it appears that alter sa.
tisfying all these appropriations, and after dis
charging the last item of our public debt winch
be dontTon lhe first of January next, there
will remain unexpended in the Treasury an
effective balance of about four hundred and
forty thousand dollars. That such should be
the aspect of our finances is highly flattering
to the industry and enterprise of oar popula
tion. and auspicious of the wealth and pros
peiity which await the future cultivation of
thetr growing resources. It is not deemed
prudent, however, to recommend any change
for the present in our impost rates, the effect
ofthe gradual reduction now in progress in
many of them, not being sufficiency tested,
to guide us in determining the piecise amount
of revenue which they will produce.
Free from public debt, at peace with all the
world, and with no complicated interests to
consult in our intercourse with foreign powers
the present may be hailed as that epoch tn our
history the most favorable for the settlement
of those principles in our domestic policy,
which shall be best calculated to give stability
to our Republic and secure the uiessings ol
freedom to our citizens. Among these prin
ciples, from our past experience, ii cannot be
doubted, that simplicity in he character ulthe
Federal Government, ai d a rigid economy m
its administration, should be tegrded as fun
damental and sacred. All must be sensible
that the existence ofthe public debt, oy ren
dering taxation necessary for us extinguish
m®nt, has increased the difficulties which are
inseparable from every exercise of the tax ng
power; and that it was, in this respect, a re
mote agent in producing these disturbing qu< s
lions which grew out of the discussions relt-a
ing te the tariff.
If such has been the tendency of a debt in
curred in the acquisition and maintenance ot
vur national rights and liberties, the obliga
tions es which all portions of llie-Unien cheer
fully acknow lodged, it must be obvious, that
whatever is calculated to increase the burdens
of Government without necessity, must be fa
tal to all our hopes of preserving its true cha
racter. While we are felicitating ourselves
therefore, upon the extinguish nem of the na
tional debt, and the prosperous state of oui
finances, let us not be tempted to depart from
those sound maxims of public policy, which
enjoin a just adaptation ofthe revenue to the
expenditures that are consistent with a rigid
economy, and an enure abstinence from ail
topics of legislation that are not clearly wiibiu
the constitutional powers ofthe Governinem,
and suggested by the wants of tue country.
Proparly regarded, under such a policy, every
dimunition ofthe public burdens ana ng from
tax ition, gives to individual enterprise, increa- (
sed power, and furnishes io alt the members
of our happy Confederacy, new mo.ivus for
patriotic affection and support. But above ail,
its most important effect will be found in its
influence upon the character of the Govarn
nient, by confining its action to those objects
wnich will be snre to sceure io it the attach
meet and support of our fellow citizens.
Cimcumstances make it my duty to call the
attention ol Congress to the Bank of the U.
States. Created for the convenience ot the!
Government, that institution has become the
scourge ofthe people. Its inierlernnce to
postpone the puj meal of a portion of the na
tional debt, that it might retain the public mo
ney appropriated for (hat purpose, to strength
en it m a political contest —the extraordinary
extension and contraction of its accommoda
tions to the community —its corrupt and par
tizan loans —its exclusion of the public direc
tor*, tiorn a knowledge of ns most important
proceedings—the unlimited authority confer
red on the President to expend its funds in
hiring writers, and procuring the execution of
priming, and the use made of that authority; |
the letenlion ofthe pension money and books
after the selection ot new agents —the ground- ‘
h-ss cl um to heavy damages, in consequence
ot the piotcst ofthe bill drawn on the breach
government, have through various channels,
been laid before Congress. Immediately alter
the o;o of the hst session, the bank through
its rh e-idem announced ns ability and readi
ness to abandon the system of uoparaiirited
curtailment, and die interruption o! domestic
exchanges, which it had practised upon liom
the lit ol August, 1833, io die 30lh June,
1834, and io extend ns aceommoda.iuQ to the
community. The gruun is a -a.i.vU in this
annunciatimi, amoun eu to an acKno*lodge
ment that the curtailment, i.< he extent to
which it had been carrn d, wis not n» cessary
to the safety ot the Bank, and bad been per
sisted in merely i« induce Congress io gram
the prayer ot the Bank in its memorial relative
to the removal of ttjv deposues, and to give it
a new charter.
I hey were substantially a confession that
al> the real distresses which individuals and
tbe country had endured tor the proceeding
eix or right months, Had been nt-vdlesslj piu
rl”*ed by it, with the view ot affecting, through
tho suffering of the people, ine leg.a.a ive uc
lu n ol Congress it is a subject ul cungtuu.a
(ion, that C ongress aud lhe country had die
a rtuv and the firmness i<* bear me affliction :
that the energies of our people soon lound re
-1 el from this wontou Branuy, in va», unpor
isiiuiis ot tne precious metals, from almost
ove<y part ot the world; and that ad me close
ol tins tremendous ufluit o coutrol our Gov
eriinietit, iue Bai.k lound ilsvli powei ess, ana
no mnger able io loan vu-. us surplus mean.
1 lie community bad learned to manaege ns al
tun t> without its assistance, ana >rade uad al
teedy feunonew auxd iar e<; so that on tne
first <jl October lasi, lue extraordinary spec
tacle was presented of a National Bank, mere
than one half of whfcse capital was cither lying
unproductive in its vaults, or in the hands of
foreign bankers.
To the needloss distresses brought on the
country during the l ist session of Congress,
has since been added tbe open seizure of the
dividend.- 1 on the public stock, to the amount
of one hundred and seventy thousand and forty
one dollars, under pretence of paying dama
ges, cost and interest, upon the protested
French bill. This sum constituted a portion
of the estimated revenues l<»r die year 1824,
upon which the appropriations made by Con
gress were based- It would as soon h ive
been expected that our collectors would seize
on the customs or receivers of our land offices
on the moneys arising Loin the sale of public
lands, tinder pretences of claims against the
United Stales, as that the Bank would have
| retained the dividends. Indeed, if the prin
. ciple be established that any one that may
> choose to set up a claim against the Lotted
I States, may, without authority of la v, seize
upon the public property o money wherever
he can find it, ta pay the claim, there will re
main no assurance that our revenue will reach
the Treasury, or that it will be applied after
■ the appropriation to the purposes designated
m the law. The paymasters of our army, and
the pursers of our navy may, under like pre
i tenses, apply their own use moneys appropria
} led to set in motion lhe public force, and in
lime of war leave the country without defence.
, This measure resorted to by tne bank is diswr- 1
j ganizmg and revolutionary, and it generally
, resorted to by private citizens in like cases,
) would fill lhe land with anareny and violenc.e
It is a constitutional provision, that ‘‘no
money shall be drawn from tbe Treasury but
in consequence of appropria ions made by
law.” The palpable object ol tins provision
is to prevent the expenditure of the public
money, for any purpose whatsoever, which
shall not have been first approved by the Rep
resentatives • ! the People and lhe Stales in
Congress assembled, it vests the pow rof
declaring for wiiat purposes me public m ey
' shall be expended, in the Legislative Depart
m*nt of the Government, to the exclusion of
lhe Executive and Judicial, and it is not within
the constitutional authority of cither ol those
! Departments, to pay it away without law, or
to sanction its payment. According to this
plain constitutional pr vision tbe claim wl ..;e
Bank can never be pad without an appropria
tion by act of Congress. But tne Bank has
never asked for an appropriation, it attempts
to defeat the provision ofthe Coiisututieu, and
obtain payment without an act ot Congress
Instead of awaiting an appropriation passed uy
both Houses, and approved o me PresiJmii,
it makes an appropriation tor itself rand invites
an appeal to me Judiciary to sanction it.—
That the money had not technically been paid
into the Treasury, does not aflect me principle
intended to be established by the constitution.
The Executive and Judiciary have as ti de
right io appropriate and expend the public
noney wimeui authority, ol law, beioro it is
placed m lhe credit *4 ho freasurer, .is to
take it Iroin the treasury, in t.; - annual re
port of me Secretary oi the 1 reasury, ami his
correspodence with me President of me Bank,
and the opinion of tha Attorney . onerii ac
companying it, you will find a further examina
tion of the claims of me Buna, and lhe course
it has pursued.
It ssenis duo to mo safety of the public
funds remaining in that Bank, and to the hon
or of the American People* tiiat measures be
taken to seperate (he Government entirely
from an institution so mischievous io me pub
lic prosperity, and so regardless ol me Con
stitution and laws. By transferring the public
depesites by appointing other Pension Agems,
as far as it had the power, by ordering the
discontin ianco of tho receipt ot Bank checks
m payment of the public dues alter the first of
January next, lhe Executive has exerted all
ns lawful aui-i uttv > sever me connexion be
tween me Government and tins iaithiess cor
poral.on.
The high handed career oi mis insulation
imposes upon mo cons ituimn »i functionaries oi
this government, dunes ui inc gravest and
i must imperative eharavter —dunes which they
, cannot avoid, and from which 1 trust iheiu
will be no inclination on the pul otany ol
them to sbrsnk. My own sense oi them is
most clear, as is also my reauiuess to dis
charge those which may ngtiiluiiy tali on me.
To ion e any business itlations widi the
BaiiK ot the Uml< d btates mat may ba avoided
without a violation oi mu nanonai faun, a tlei
aal institution has set at open ueh nice me co u
ceded ugni fti me govennnuiH m cxamiuu its
ailaiis; aitei n has Uane all m its power io de
cide lie public aumo.ity hi oilier respects, and
!• brmg H mm uisr pa e at Dome and abroad;
aiiei it uas attempted to defeat Hie clearly ex
piessod will of the people by turning against
mein the immense power mous ' d m iu na©d->,
and by involving it country umerwi»e peaceful,
11 mrisuiug and nappy, in dissension, emo »r
--ras.iieiil and distress—Would inatve tne nation
Hse|> a party lo me degradation, so sedulously j
pi epared tor the public agents —and da much <
io destroy me confidence ui mankind in popu
lar governments, and to bring into cvniemp.
me>r auumti'y aid eifici ncy 1.1 guarding
against an evil ol such magnitude, constdera- j
Hous of temporary uonvemence should be
ibiuwn out oi the question, ana wj snould ue ’
influenced, bv su<.b motives «*nly .is look to me
honor and preservation oi tin- icpuuiicim sys
em. Deeply and soiemuly itnpressd with me
justice oi these v tews, 1 ieci it to uu my duty io
recommend to vuu mit a law De passed au
thorizing me sale oi me public stucn; mat me
provision ot me cnailer requiring me receip 1
•1 notes <♦! the Bank m payment oi puui.i !
dues, snail in accordance wnu me power ic
served to Congress ie me 14. u section oi me !
charter, uu s speeded uaid rn« li.rnn. pays lu ■
tne t reasury me dividends wmitieid and u>> i
lews connecting the Government tr its officers 1
with tlie Bai|{, directly or indirectly, bo re- i
pealed; and hat the institution be leflhereaf- I
ter to its own tsotircee and means.
Events satisfied my mind, and 1 think '
the minds ti the American People, that (he '
mischief's aO Jangers which flow from a na
tional Bank® overbalance all its advantages.
The b<>ld eifi, the present Bank has made to
couirol the (Government, tho distresses it has
wantonly produced, the violence of which it
has been the occasion in one of our cities
famed for its observance of law and order, aie
bu> premonitions of the fate which awaits the
American people should they be deluded into
a perpetuation of this institution, or rhe estab
lishment of another like it. It is fervently
hoped, that, (bus admonished, those who have
heieiolbi'6 favored the establishment of a sub
stitute for the present Bank, will be md iced
to abandon i(, as it is evidently belter to incur |
any nconvemence that may be reasonably I
expected, than to concentrate the whole mo
neyel power ofthe Republic in any form what
sover, or under any restrictions.
Happily it is already illustrated that the |
agencx of such an institution is not necessary
to the fiscal operations of the government. — j
The State Banks are found Cully adequate to I
tire performance of all services which were re
quired of he B ink of the United States, quite ■
as piomptly, and with the same cheapness. —
Tiioy nave maintained themselves and dis
charged all these dunes, while the Bank of the
United Slates was still powerful, and in the |
field as an open enemy; and it is not posable
o conceive that they will find greater difficul
ties in their operanons, when that enemy shall
cease to exist.
The attention of Congress is e irnestly itivil-,
!cd to the regulation of the deposites in lhe
ita.e B inks, by law. Although lire power
now exercised by the Execute Department
in ,his behalf, is only such as was uniformity
ax e rted through every Administration from the
origin of the government up to lhe establish
ment of the present B ink, yet it is one which
is susceptible of regulation by law, and there
fore, oiigiil so to be regulated. The power of
Congress to d re t in wuat places he Treasur
er hall keep tne moneys m the Treasmy
and to impose restrictions upon the Execu
tive authority, in relation to their custody and
removal, is unlimited, and its exercise will
rather be courted than discouraged by those
public offi -cis and agents on whom resis lhe
responsibility for iheir safety. It is desirable
itiai as little power as possible should »o 101 l
to me President or Secretary ofthe I'reasury
over those institutions —which, being thus (r ed
iioni Executive uifl ienee, and without com
mon head to direct their operations, w.rnid
neitin r nave lhe temptation nor the ability to
mieriere in the political conflicts of the coun
try. Not deriving their charters from the
national authorities, they would never have
those inducements o meddle in general elec
n.ims, which have led the Bank of tne United
St ites t<» agitate and convulse the country for
upwards of two years.
i rtie progress of our gold coinage is credita
ble to die viTl et.s oi ttm mint, and premises io
a stioii peuod to furnish the country with a
i sound and portable currency, whicn will much
, diminish me inconvenience to travellers eftiie
■ want of a general paper currency, should me
St.i c Banks be incapable of furnishing it. —
i These institutions have already shown them
selves competent t<> purchase and furnish the
domestic exchange tor the convenience el
tiade, at reasonable rates, and not a doubt is
1 entertained thm, in a short period, all ttie wants
of the country in bank accommodations and
exchange, will bo supplied as promptly and
cheaply as they have heretofore been by the
; Bank of the United States. If lire several
, States shall be induced gradually to reform
their banking systems, and prohibit the issue
of small notes, we siv ill, in a lew years, have
a currency as sound, snd as little liable to
fluctuations, as any other commercial country.
The report of the Secretary of War, to
gether with the accompanying documents
from the several bureaux of ibal Department,
wilt ex übii the situation of the various objects
■ committed ions ndmims ration.
i j\o evuni has ■ 'Courted since your last ses
tsion rendering u jcsMiy any movements oi
tne army, with me exception ot mo expedition
ot the legiment oi dragoons into the territory
' of the wandering and pitdatory inbes, inhibit
ing the western frontier and living adjacent io
the Mexican boundary. 1 heso tubes have
' been hereto! >re known to us principally by
toeir attacks uiion our own citizens and upon
omer in nans entitled to the protection ol me
Untied Stales, h became necessary lor the
peace ol the frontiers io check these habitual
inroads, and 1 am nappy to inform you mat
the object has been eficciod without be com
mission of any ad oi hostility. Col. Dodge
arid the troops under his command, have act
ed with equal firmness and humanity, and an
arrangement his b- en made with loose In
dians, whi h it is imped will assure their per
manent pacific plauoiis with rhe Luitt”
I Sta'es and the o'her tribes ot Indians uj on
' thai border. It is le be r« jjjeied that the pre
\ valence ot sicku ss m that quarter has de
prived the country of a number ol valuable
lives, and pirticularlv that of (general Ueaveß
woria, a i officer weii known and esteemed i©r
; his gallant service- in me lave war, and lor him
sub->equoiii good conduct, h is laden a vivis
i© ms z'lui and exertions in the disc aargi oi
■ ms duty.
1 nc army is in a high state ©I discipline.
' lis moral condition, so far as that is known
n re, is good, and the various brandies ol the
public service, are careiu’ly attended tu. it
is amply sufficient, under me present organiza
tion, tor providing the necessary garrisons fur
■ me se i bo ud and lor iht dcieuce ui the inter
aal irontier, and also tor preserving the ele-
| m nts of military knowledge, and tor keeping
Ip ice with those improvements which modern
experience is continually making. And these i
objects appear to me te embrace all the legitt- f
mate purposes for which a perm.incnt military i
force should be maintained in our country. Ibe <
lessons of history teach us its danger, and the :
tendency which exists to increase. 1 his can i
be best met and averted by a just caution on
the part of the public itself, and of those who
represent them in Congress. '
From the duties which devolve on the:
Engineer Department, and upon the lepo-’j
graphical Engineers, a different organization
seems to be demanded by tho public interest,
and 1 reccommend the subject to your consi
deration. .
No important change has, during this sea
son taken place io the condition ol the Indi
ans. Arrangements are in progress for the
removal ofthe Creeks, sad will soon be for
the removal of the Seminoles. I regret that
lhe Cherokees east of the Mississippi have
I not vet determined, us a community, to re
! move. How long the personal causes wbicn
| have heretofore retarded that ultimately inevt
<able measure, will continue to operate, i am
unable to conjecture. It is certain, however,
that delay will tiring witn H accumulated evils
! which will render their condition more and
i more unpleasant. The experience of every
' year adds to the conviction, that emigration,
! and that alone, can preserve from destruction
the remnant of tribes yet living among us.—
Tne facility with which the necessaries ol life
are procured, and the treaty stipulations pio
vidtng and for the emigrant Indians tn their a
gricultural pursuits, and m the important con
cern of education, and their removal Irom those
causes which have heretofore depressed all
I and destroyed many ot the tribes, cauuot fall
. to simulate their exertions and to reward their
I industry.
The" two laws passed at the last session o
Congress on the subject oi Indian afiairsj
have been carried into effect, and detailed in
structions for their administration have been
given. It will be seen by the estimates lor
i the present session, that a great reduction will
lake place IU the expenditures of the dep a t
ment in consequence of those laws. Anti
mere is reason to believe that their operation
will be salutary, and that the colontzauon of
lite Indians ou the western frontier, together
j witli a judicious system of administration, will
■ still i irther reduce the expenses of tms branch
1 of the public service, and at lhe same tune
11 jrj nute its usefulness and efii uency.
' i Circumstances nave been recently develop
ed sir.wiug lie existence of extensive frauds
uudei tne various laws granting pensions and
gruuitieo for Revolutionary services. Il is
mipossiblc to estimate the amount winch in iy
have been thus irandulemly obtain, d from ihe
| national treasury. 1 am satisfied, however,
i it lias been such as to justify a re-axammution
! of the system, and the adoption of the necessa
ry checks in iis administration. All will
' agree, tha; tim services and sufferings «f the
1 remnant of the levolutiouary band, should be
fully compensated. But while tins is done,-
every proper precaution should bo laktm to
i prevent the admission of fabricated and
I fraudulent claims. In the present mode of
' proceeding, the attestations and certificates of
judicial officers ol tho various Slates, firm a
considerable portion ol ilie checks which are
in erposed against commission ol Irauds.—
These, however, have been, and may be fa
bricated and in such away as to elude detec
lion at the examining offices. And independ
enilyofthts piacltcal difficuliy, it is nscenain-
! ed that these documents are often loosely
granted; sometimes, even blank certificates
have been issued, sometimes prepared papers
have been signed without inquiry, and, in one
instance at least, I tie seal of the court bus been
within reach of a person most interested in
its improper application. It ta obvious, that,
under socti circumstances, no severity of ud
inmistiation can check the abuse ol ttie law,
1 and information has, from time to tune, been
communicated to the Pension Office, question
ing or denying the right of persons placed up
on’lhe pension last, "o the bounty ol tho coun
try- — But a far more general investigauon is
called lor. An-1 I therefore recceinmend, in
conformity with lhe suggestion of me Secreta
ry of War, that an actual inspection siiould oe
made, tn each State, into the circumstances
! and claims of every person now drawing a
’ pension. The honest veteran has nothing to
fear from such a scrutiny while ihe fraudulent
claimant will bo detected, and the public trea
sury relieved, loan am-mm, 1 Have reason to
believe, far ureater man has nereiolore been
1 suspected. The details of such a plan, could
be so regulated as to interpose the necessary
checks, without any burlliensoiiie operation
: upon the pensioners. The object shonldeb
two fold-
1. To ».ok inte the original justice of the
claim 1, of ihs c; ii be done under a pro
si ». ms, uy an examination'
» n -elves, by inquHing,
, , , f reaiueuc , mto their ms-
v miun ente.'taiiiw'i of their
, . J’ cases, whe- uvr'he
l or , u, . i.g and mis by actu i
' pc> I
j j , i, ta - epted, to Mroduc-
| l|V , t . .. .■> .c ulta, and 1 there-}
tu." cc< i.. -. ’• yt '«• consideration, j
with t< -r’- ’ ‘ im*; all payments;
should be pc necessary reports
arc ret ” . -u.
■ v, dl ' by a tabular statement anex-
jcd to the documents transmitted to Congress,
that ihe appropriations tor objects connected
’with the \Var Department, made at ihe last
session, tor the service ol tne year 1834, ex
cluding tbe permanent appropriation lor the
payment of military gratuities under the act of ,
i June 7, 1832, me appropriation of two hun
dred tnousand dollars for arming and equip
ping me inilma, and the appropriation of ten ’
thousand dollars for the civilization ofthe In* ;
dians, which are not annually renewed.
i amounted to tbe sum of ume millions three
i thou’-md two hundred aad aixty-onc dollars,
and that the estimates of appropriations necs
sary for the same branches of service
year 1835, amount to the sum of five milnois |
seven hundred and seventy-eight thousand F
nine hundred and sixty-four dollars, makingajf
difference in the appropriations «f lhe current i*-
year over the estimates of appropriations for
the next, of three millions two
ninety-seven dollars. W*
The principal causes which have operated
at this lune to produce thisgreatdifference, are
shown tn tho reports and documents, and in
the detailed estimates. Some of these causes
are permanent, and, aided by’ajust course of
administration, may continue to operate btgn.
ficially upon the public expeditures.
A just economy, expending where the pub.
lie service requires, and withholding where it >
does not, is among the most indispensable du*
ties of the government.
I refer you to the accompanying report off 'S
the Secretary of the Navy, and to the docu.
ments which it, for a full view of the operation
that important branch of our service, during
the present year. It will be seen that the wig.
dnm and liberality with which Congress have
provided for the grandual increase of our navy
material, have been seconded by a
ing Zeal and fidelity on the part of those to
whom has been confided the execution of laws
on the subject, and that but a short period
would be n>w required to put in commission <—
a force large enough for any exigency igf t)
which the country may be thrown.
When wo reflect upon our position in rela-
tion to other nations, it must be apparent, that
in the event of conflicts with them, we mu|* 4
look chiefly te our navy for lhe protection of
our national rights. The wide seas which
s p irate us from oth- r governments, must of
necessity be the theatre on which an enemy
will aim to assail us, and unless we are pij.
pared to mcei him on this element, we canuh
be said t» possess the power requisite to repel
or prevent aggression. We cannot, therefore,
watch with too much attention this arm of out
defence, or cherish with too much care the
means by which it can possess the necessare
efficiency and extension. To this end our
policy has been heretofore wisely directed to
1 the constant employment of a force suKcient (
to guard our commerce, and to the rapid accu
mulation ofthe materials, which are necossary ’
to repair our vessels, and construct with ease
such new ones us in iy be required in a state
of war. z
In accordance with this policy, I recom
mend to your consideration the erection of ti?a
additional Dry D ock described by the .Secre
tary ofthe Navy, and also the construction
Steam Batteries to which he was referred, for
ihe purpose of testing their efficiency as
, diaries to the system of defence now in use.
The report ofthe Pest master General here- '
' with submiticd, exhibits the condition and
prospects of that Department. From (bat
document it appe irs that there was a deficit irt
, tho funds ofthe Department, at the commence •
ment of the present year, beyond its available
moans, of three hundred and fifteen thousand
live hundred and ninety nine dollars and nine-'
’ ty eight cents, which on the first of July last
had been reduced to two hundred and sixty
eight thousand ninety two dollars and seventy
ty four cents. It appears, also, that the reve
nues for the coming year will exceed tho ex
penditures about two hundred and seventy
thousand dollars, which, with the excess of
revenue which will result from the operations
of the current half year, may he expected, in
dependently of any increase in the gross
amount of postages, to supply lhe entire doficiA
before the end 011535. But us this calcula
tion is based on the gress amount of postages
which hud occurred within the period embra
ced by the times of striking the balances, it is
obvious that without a progressive increase m .
the amount of postages, the existing retrench-" -
ments most be persevered in through »Im» y«x»r
matJ, that the Department may accumulate a
surplus fund sufficient to place it in a condition
of perfect ease.
It will be observed that the revenues of tho
Post Office Department, though they have
increased, and their amount is abeve that of
any former year, have yet fallen short of th»
estimates more than a hundred thousand dol
lars. This is attributed in a great degree to
the increase of free loiters growing out of the
extension and abuse of lhe franking privilege. -
There has been a gradual increase in the num
tier of executive offices to which it has been
granted; and by an act passed in March, 1833,
il was extended to members of Congress
throughout the whole year. It is believed that
a revision ofthe laws relative to the franking ?
privilege, with some enactments to
more rigidly, the restiiclions under which it is
granted, would operate beneficially to tho
country, by enabling ihe department at an
earlier period to restore the mail facilities that
have been withdrawn, and to extend them more
widely as the growing settlements of the coun
try may require.
To a measure so important to tho Govern
ment, and so just to our constituents who ask
no exclusive privileges for themselves, and are *
not willing to concede them to others, I ear
ncs ’v recommend lhe serious attention of Con
gress.
The iinpur ance of the Post Office Depart
ment, and tie magnitude to which il has
grown, both in its revenues and its epc,rations,
seem to demand ns organization by law. The
whole of its receipts and disbursements have
hitherto been left entirely to Executive con
trol, and individual discretion. The principle
is as sound in relation to this as to any other
Department of the Government, that as littlo
discretion should bo confided to the Execu
tive officer who conirols it, as is compatible
with its efficiency. It is therefore earnestly
recommended that it be organized with an au
ditor and Treasurer of i>s own, appointed by
ihe President and Senate, who shall be bran
ches of the Treasury Department.