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place them ultimately upon <1»e tout mg on
which it is our wish they should rest.
Of the points referreiLtat m ° 8 ^ promi
nent are, our claim* upon France for spolia
tions upon our^corntnerce; rimilar claims upon
Spam, together with embarrassments in the
commercial Kitjercoorse betweeo the two coun
tries, wh*d» ought to be removed; the coo*
Ula«ion of the treaty of commerce and navi
gation with Mexico, which has been so long in
— K cuse, as wall us the final settlement of lim
its between ourselves and that republic; and,
finally, the arbitrament ot the question be-
twoen the United States and Great Britain in
togard to the Northeastern boundary.
The negotiation with France has been con
ducted by our Minister with zeal and ability,
and in all respects to my entire satisfaction.
Although the prospect of a favorable termina-
lon was occasionally dimned by counter pre
tentions, to which the United States could not
assent, he yet had strong hopes of being able
to arrive at a satisfactory settlement with the
late Government. The negociation has been
renewed with the present authorities; and, sen
sible of the general and lively confidence of
our citizens in the justice and magnimity of
regenerated France, 1 regret the more not to
have it in my power, yet, to announce the re
sult so confidently anticipated. No ground,
however, inconsistent with this expectation,
has been taken; and 1 do not allow myself to
doubt that justice will soon bo done to us.—
The amount ofthe claims, the length of time
they have remained unsatisfied, and thoir in
controvertible justice, tnakci an earnest prose
cution of them by the Government an urgent
duty. The illegality ofthe scizeures and con
fiscations out of which they have ariseo is not
disputed; and whatever distinction may have
hereto fore been set up with regard to the lia
bility of the existing Government, it is quite
Clear that Biich considerations cannot now be
rnterposed.
The commercial intercourse between tho j tfi e bill before me proposes to add to it fifty
" An net to authorizfe a sobsefiptrosffbr tilock
in the Louisville and' Portland Canal Compa
ny/* were submitted for my approval. It was
uot possible, within the time allowed me, he*
tore the close of the sessiondo give these bill*,
the consideration which was due to their char
acter and importance ; and/I wa9 compelled to
retain them for that purpose. I now avail
myself of this early opportunity to return them
to the Houses in which they respectively orig
inated,with the reasons which,after mature de
liberal ion,compel me to withhold my approval.
The practice of defraying out of the Trea
surv of the United States the expenses incur
red by the establishment and support of light
house, beacons, buoys, and public piers, with
in the bays, inlets, harbors and ports of the
United States, to render the navigation thereol
safe and easy, is coeval with the adoption of
the Constitution, and has been continued with,
out interruption or dispute.
As our foreign commerce increased, and
was extended into the interior of the country
by the establishment of ports of entry and
delivery upon our navigable rivers, the sphere
of those expenditures received a correspon
ding enlargement. Ligh-houses, beacons,
buoys, public piers, and the removal of sand
bars. sawyers, aud other partial or temporary
impediments in the navigable rivers and har
bors which wero embraced in the revenue dis
tricts from time to time established by law,
were authorized upon the same principle, and
the expenses defrayed in the same manner.
That these expenses have at times been extrav
agant m. disproportionate,is very probable The
circumstances under which they are incurred
are well calculated to lead to such a result
unless Ihcir application is subjected to the
closest scrutiny. The local advantages aris
ing from tho disbursement of public money
too frequently, it is to be feared, invite appro
priationsfor objects ol (his charactertli.it are
neither necessary nor useful. The number ol
light-house keepers is already very large, and
two countries is susceptible of highly advan
tageous improvements; but the sen«e of this in
"jury has had, and must continue to have a ver
ry unfavorable influence upon them. From its
Satisfactory adjustment, not otdy a firm and
Cordial friendship, but a progressive develop
ment of all their relations, may be expected.
It is, therefore, my earnest hope that this old
and vexatious subject of difference may be
Speedily removed.
I feel that my confidence in our appeal to the
motives which should govern a just and mag
hanimous nation, is alike warranted by the
Character of the French people, ami by the
high voucher we possess for the enlarged
Views and pure integrity of tho munarch whv
now presides over her councils; and nothing
shall be wanting on my part to meet any man
ifestation of the spirit we anticipate in oue ol
'corresponding frankness and liberality.
The subjects of difference with Spain have
been brought to the view of that Government,
by our Minister there, with much force and
propriety; and the strongest assurances have
vwi their early and favorable con
sideration. m
The steps which remain to place the mat-
'ter in controversy between Great Britain and
♦he United States fairly before the arbitrator,
have nil been taken in the same liberal and
friendly spirit which characterized those before
announced. Recent events have doubtless
-served to delay the decision, but our Minister
at the court of the distinguished arbitrator has
been assured that it will be mado within the
timecnntemplated by the treaty.
I ntn particularly gratified in being able to
Ztate that a decidedly favorable, and, asl hope,
fasting change, has been effected in our rela
tions with the neighboring republic of Mexico.
The unfortunate and unfounded suspicions in
regard to our disposition, which it became
tny painful duty to advert to on o former occa
sion, have been, I believe, entirely removed;
and the Government of Mexico has been made
to understand the real character ofthe wishes
and views of this in regard to that country.—
The consequence is, the establishment of
friendship and mutual confidence. Such are the
assurances which 1 have received, and 1 see
«io cause to doubt their sincerity
I had reason to expect the conclusion ef a
Commercial treaty with Mexico in season for
communication on the present occasotil Cir■
cunrislances which are not explained, but
wtnch, I am ptirsuaded. are not the result of an
indisposition on fier part to enter into it, have
produced the delay.
There was reason to fear, in the course of
the last summer, that the harmony of our re
lations might be disturbed by the acts of cer
tain claimants, under Mexican grunts, of ter
ritory which has hitherto beem under our ju
risdiction. Tho co-operation of the repre
sentative of Mexico near this Government,
was askfetl on the occasion, and was readily
afforded. Instructions and advice have been
given to the Governor of Arkansas and the
officers in command in the adjoining Mexican
S ate, by which, it is hoped, the quiet of that
frontier will be preserved, until a final settle
ment of the dividing line shall have removed
all gfbund of controversy
The exchange of ratifications of the trea
ty concluded last year with Austria has not
yet taken place. Th© delay has been occa
sipned by the non-arrival of the ratification -of
that Government within the time prescribed
by the treaty. Renewed anthority has been
a»k£«l for by the representative of Austria ;
an«l, in the mean time, the rapidly increasing
trade and navigation between the two coun
tries have been placed upon the most liberal
footing of our navigation acts.
Several alleged depredations have been re
cently committed on our commerce by the na
tional vessels of Portugal. They fiave been
made tho subject of immediate remonstrance
end reclamation. I am not yet possessed of
sufficient information to express a definitive
opinion of their character, but.expect soon to
receive it. No proper means shall he omitted
to obtain for our citizens all the redress to
which they may appear to be entitled.
Almost at the moment of the adjournment
of your last sees ion, two bills, the one entitled
** An act for making appropriation for building
light-houses, light-boats, beacons, and monu
ments, placing, buoys, and fi>r improving har
directing suittej#/’ aqd the etbet
one more, of various descriptions. From rep
resentations upon the subject which are un
derstood to be entitled to respect, I am indu
ced to believe that there has not only been
great improvidence in the past expenditures ol
the Government upon these objects,, but th.it
(he security of navigation has, in some instan
ces, been diminished by the multiplication ot
light-houses, and consequent ctiange of lights,
upon (he cost. It is in this as in other re
.spects, our duty to a void all unnecessary ex
pense, as well as every increase ot patronage
not called for by the pubbe service. But, in
the discharge of dhat duty in this particular,
it must not bo forgotten that, in relation to our
foreign commerce, the burd n and benefit oi
protecting and accommodating it necessarily
go together, and must do so as long as the
public revenue is drawn from the people
through the custom-house. It is indisputable
that whatever gives facility aud security to
navigation, cheapens imports; and all who
consume them are alike interested in whatev
er produces this effect. If they consume
they ought, as fchey now do to pay ; ottv r
W186 lllcy UU lit;i i Tluk^ivncnmiT m | i)f :
most inland State derives the same advantage
from every necessary and prudent expenditure
for the facility and security of our ioreign com
tnerco and navigation that he does who resides
in a maritime State. Local expenditures have
not, of themselves, a correspondent operation
From a bill tnakinj direct appropriations for such ob
jects, I should not have withheld my assent.. The one
now returned does so in several particulars, bui it also
contains appropriations for surveys of a local character,
which 1 cannot approve. It gives me satisfaction to find
that no serious inconvenience has arisen from withhold
in; tny approval from this bill ; nor will it, I trust, be
cause of regret that an opportunity will be thereby uf
forded for Congress to review its provisions under cir
cumstances belter calculated for a more full investigation
than those under which it was passed.
In speaking of direct appropriations, I off an not to in
clude a prac.ice which has obtained to some extent, and
to which I have, in one instance, in a different capacity,
given my assent—that of subscribing to the slock of pri
vate associations. Positive experience, and a more tho
rough consideration of the subject, have convinced me uf
the impropriety ns well as inexpediency of .such invest
ments. All improvements efbeted by the funds of ihi
nation, for general use, should be open to the enjoyment
of ail our fellow-citizens, exempt from the payment of
tolls, or any imposition of that character. The practice
of thus mingling the concerns of the Government with
those of the States or of individuals, is inconsistent with
the object of its institution, uhd t.ighiy impolitic. The
successful operation of the federal »><*!< tn cun oniv be
preserved by confining it to the few and simple, but .yet
important objects for which it was designed.
A different practice, if allowed to progress, would
ultimately change the character of this Government, by
consolidating into one the General and State Govern
ments, which were intended to lie kept forever distinct.
I cannot conceive bow bills authorising such sunacrip
tions can be otherwiae regarded than us uills for revenue,
and consequently subject to the rule in that respect pre
scribed by the Constitution. If the interest of the Gov
ernment in private companies is subordinate to that of in
dividuals, the management and control of a portion of
the public funds is delegated to an authority unknown to
the Constitution, and beyond the supervision of our con-
siitncnts: if superior, its officers and agents will be con
stantly rxposed to imputations of favoritism and oppres
sion. Direct prejudice to the public interest, or nn alien
ation of the affections and respect of portions of Un
people, may, therefore, in addition to the general die-
credit resulting to the Government from embarkii g with
its constituents in pecuni iry speculations, be looked for
as the probable fruit of such associations. It is no an
swer to this objection to say that the extent of conse
quences like these cannot be great from a limited and
small number of investments ; because experience in
other matters teaches os, and we are not at liberty to
disregard its admonitions, that, unless an entire stop be
put to them, it will soon be impossible to prevent their
accumulation, until they are spread over Ihe whole coun
try, and made to embrace many of the private and ap
propriate concerns of individuals.
The power which the General Government would ac
quire within the several States by becoming the princi
pal stockholder in corporations, controlling every canal
and each sixty or hundred miles of every important road
and giving a proportionate vote in all their election-*, is
•dmost inconceivable, and, it) tny view, dangerous to the
liberties of the people.
This mode of aiding such works is, also, in its nature,
deceptive, and in many cases conducive to improvidence-
in the administration of the national funds; Apnropri-
^|i n n? will be obtained frith much greater facility, and
granted with less scrutiny H» the public interest, when
he measure is thus disguised, than when definite and di
rect expenditures of money are asked for. The interests
of the nation would doubtless be better served by avoid
ing alt sucii indirect modes of aiding particular objtets.
In a Government like ours, nnore especially, should all
public acts be. as far as practicable, simple, undisguised,
and intelligible, that they may become fit subjects for
(lie approbation or .animadversion of the people. The
bill authorizing a subscription to the Louisville and Port
land canal a fiords a striking illustration of the difficulty
of withholding additional appropriations for the-same
object, when the first erroneous step has been lak n by-
instituting a partnership between the Government and
private companies. It proposes a third subscription on
the part of the United States, whon each preceding one
was at tho time regarded as the extent of the aid which
Cowetohnent was to render l© thet wnrk ; and the accom
panying bill for fight bouses, &c. coitains an appropria
tion for a survey of the bed of tho i» 3r » frith a view to
its improvement, by removing the obifuciiop which the
eanal is designed to amid. This inprovenirtrt, if suc
cessful, would afford a free passage t> t o river, and ren
der the canal entirely useless. To web improvidence is
the course of legislation subject^ it relation to internal
improvements on local matters, eve* with the best inten
tions on the part of Congress.
Although the motives which hare influenced rne in this
matter mi v be already sufficiently staled, 1 am, never
theless, induced by iis importanedto add a Jew observa
tions of a general character. ' .*
In my objections to the bills asthorizing subscriptions
to the Maysvdle and Rockville Read Companies, I ex
pressed my views fully in regard to the power of Con
gress to construct roads and canals will, in a Stale, or to
appropriate money for improvements of a local character.
I, at the same time;intimated niy belief that the right to
make nppropriatioisfor su£h as were of a national char
acter had been so generally acted upon, and so long ac
quiesced in by the Federal and State Governments, and
the constituents of each, as to justify its exercise on the
ground of continutd and uninterrupted usage ; but that
it was, nevertheless, highly expedient that anpropnations
even of that character, should, with the exception made
at the time, be deferred until Ibe national debt is paid,
and that, in the mean while, some general rale for the ac
tion ot the Government in thin respect ought to be estab
lished. v
These suggestions were not necessary to the decision
of the quesiion then before me; and were, 1 readily ad
mit, intended to awaken the attention, and draw forth
the opinions and obst rrations, ol our constituents, upon
a subjrclof the highest importance to their interests, and
one destined to exert a powerful infl-v nee upon the fu
ture operations of our poli ieai sjsi ni. I know of no
tribunal Iq which a public man in this country, in a case
of doubt and difficulty, ean uppi ui with grautcr advantage
or more propriety, th.*n the judgment of the people ; and
aiibocgii i musi necessarily, in the discharge of my offi
cial duties, be governeu by the delates of mj a.n j‘<ug-
menl, I have no desire to conceal mv anxious wish to
conform, as fur as lean, to the views of those for whom
I act.
All irregular expressions of public opinion are of neces
sity attended w nh some doubt as to their accuracy ; but,
making full allowances on that account, I cannot, 1 think,
deceive myself in believing that the acts referred to, as
well as the sngg« siions which i allowed myself to muke
in relation to iheir bearing upon-the future .ojterntions of
tbe Government, have been a^roved- by tiic great body
of the people. That those whose immediate pecuniaiy
interests are to be affected by proposed expenditure*
should shrink from the application of a rule which pre
fers their mure general and remote interests to those
which are personal and immediate, is to be expected.—
Rut even such objections-must, from tire nature of our
population, be but temporal-} in their duration; and if it
were otherwise; our course should be the same for tire
lime is yet, I hope, far distant,, when those entrusted wi h
power to he exercised for the gowl of ihe whole, will con-
.-hhf il either honest or wise to purchase local favor at
the sacrifice of principle and the general gOod.
So understanding public sentiment, and thoroughly
satisfi.d that the Inst interests of our ciinunon country
imperiously require that the course which I have r* com
mended in tins regard should be adopied. I h ive, upon
the most mature considers lion, determined to pursue It.
It is due to candor, its well as to try own feelings, that
I should express tne reluctance and anxiety which 1 must
at all times experience in exercising the undoubted right
of the Executive to iviUmold ids assent from bills on
other grounds than their uneonstitmiun-ility. That lhi»
ri-ht should not bo exercised on slight occasions, all will
admit, it is only in matters of dt< p iutcrrsl, when the
principle involved may he justly regard'd as next in im
portance to infractions oft he Cuu-ti alien itself, that
such .. step can be expected to meet with the approbation
of the people. Such an occasion do I conscientiously
believe the present to be. in the disebatge of this deli
cate aod highly responsible duty, 1 am sustained by the
reflection that the exercise of this power ha* been deemed
consistent with tho obligation of official duly by several
of my predecessor-; and by tfce persuasion, too, that,
whatever liberal institutions may have to fear from the
euciuacbuients of executive power, which has been every
where the cause of so mneb strife and bloody contention,
bui little danger is to be apprehended from a precedent
by which tba» author.ly denies to its it ihe exercise of
powers that bring in their train influence and patronage
■>f great extern ; and thus excludes the operation of per
*unal in crests, every tvLeye the banc of official trust.—
I <1 rive too, no small degree of-satisfsetion fr-m the
inflection, that, if l have mislakt-ii the interests, and
wish, s of the people, the Constitution ff *re!s the m ans
soon redressing the error, by selecting for the place
iheir favor has bestowed upon me a citizen whose opi
nions may occord with their own. I trust, in the mean
lime, the inierests of Ihe nation will be saved from pre
judice, by » rigid application ol ;bat portion ot the pub
be funus wjlicit might otherwise be applied to differentob-
jeets to the highest oi all i.ur obligation*, lh. payment
of tire public debt, and an opportunity be r.fl’orded Ibr
the adoption oi some netb-riuit for the operations of the
Government in this mutter than any which Las hilher'.o
' ecn acted upon
Profoundly impressed with tbe iinpoitance of the sub-
ject, not merely as i! relates'o the g n ral prosperity of
the country, but to Itie safrty of the. ;edrral system, 1
cannot avoid repeating m* ea.uual hope that all good
citizens, who tske a pro|*r interest in the success and
harmony of our •dmirable political institutions ; and who
are incapable of desiring to conv- rt;tn opposite state of
Unngs into means for the gratification of personal «m5n
tion- will, laying aside minor odmidoalionv; and dis
carding local prejudices, untie their honest exertions to
establish some fixed general principle, which shall be' cal
culated to effect the greatest extent of public g< cd in re
gard to the subject ol internal unprovein. ul, and afford
the least ground for sectionauUsronUrit. - *•
The general ground of my objec'ioii to h.ral-appropri-
ations bus been heretofore expressed ; and J snail en
tleavor to avoid a repetition ot w*iht lias been already
urged—the importance of stist.nniuglbe State suvtr. .go-
lies, as f-ir as is consistent with the rig.iti'ul action of the
Federal Government,, nnd ot preserving the greatest at
tainable harmony between limn I «vjll now only add
an expression of my conviction—a conviction which'
every uay’s expern oce serves to confirm—that tfv politi
cal creed which inculcates ihe pursuit of those gre-u; ob
jects as a paramount duty.it 4bt nue faith, and one to
which we ire mainly indebted for the present success -f
the entire system, ami tu which y/i- must alone lock for
its future si ability.
That there are diversities in ll>c m'creMs of Ihe niff.-r-
fnt Stales which compose this extensive confederacy,
nuiat be admitted. 1 hose diversities, arising from sjiii-
lion, elima e. p.ipulati. o. and p -rs.uts, ar* doubtless, as
it is naturil they should be, gpeu«!y exaggerated byj-al-
oosies, and that spirit of rivalry so inseparable from
neighboring cotumuniti?*. i l.ese circtims.nnces make it
the duly of those who are entrust, d wiihtht management
of its utfiirs to netiirafiZ*’ then effects as far as paclict~
ble, by making the bcnefici.il operaiion of the Federal
Governin' ni us equal a no equitable among the several
States as can be doue consistently with the great ends of
its institution.
It is only necessary to refcrto undoubted facts, to see
huw far the past acts of the Government upon the sub
ject under ronsideranon have faiten short of this object.
The expenditures heretofore made for infernal improve,
•went* ain nmt to up • irds of five millions of dollars, and
have be - n distributed in very-unequal proportions umongst
• he States. The estimated expense of works of which
surveys have been made, together with that’of others pro-
jeced and partially surveyed, amount to more than ome--
ty-eix millions of dollar*.
Tbjzt such improvements, on account of particular cir-
ctims'nnees, maybe more advantageously and bent-tici diy
rood*- in some States than in- others, is doubtless true p
but that they are of axharacter which should prertni mi
equitable distrib .tion of the funds amongst the re-vert
States, is not to be conceded. The want of this equita
ble distribution cannot fail to-prove, a prolific source of
irritation amongst the States!
We have it constantly before oureyes, that professions
of superior zeal in the cause of intern:.I .improvement,
and a disposition to lavish the fublrc funds upon objects
ol that character, are daily and earnestly put forth by
aspirants to power, as constituting the highest claim's
to the confidence or the people.' Would it be strange,
under such circumstances, and in times of great excite
ment, that grants of this de scription should find their mo
tives in objects which may not accord with the public good?
Those who have not bad occasion to see and regret the
indication of a sinister influence in these matters in past
times, have been more fortunate .than myself in their ob
servation of the course of public affiirs. If io these
vils be added the combinations and aiigry contentions to
which such % ctursa of things gite* rise, with their bale
ful influences upon the legislation of Gor.grrsS fooebiot
the ftdiiirig and appreciate duties of the Federal Gov
ernment, il was but doing justice to tbe character of our
people to expect tbe st-eere condemnation of tbe past
trfaich »he recent exhibition of public sentiment has
evinced. ' . . . .
Nothing short of a radical change in the .actitn of the
Government upon the subject, can, in ray opinion, reme
dy the evil. If, as it would be natural to expect, tne
States which have been least favored in past appropria
tions should iijsi.it on being redressed in those hereafter
to be made, at the expense of the States, which have so
largely and disproportionately participated, we hate, as
matters now stand, but little security ifaat the attempt
would do more thanchauge tbe inequality from otic quar
ter to another. .
Tiius viewing the subject, I have heretofore felt it my
duty to recommend the adoption of some plan for the
distribution of the surplus funds which may at any time
remain in the treasury alter the national debt shall have
been paid, among the States, is proportion to the number
of their Representatives, to he applied by them to object*
of internal improvement.
Although this plan has met with favor in some portions
ef tbe Union, it has also elicited objections wnich merit
deliberate consideration. A brief notice of thesa objec
tions here will not therefore, I trust, be regarded a* out
of place. - . , ,
They rest, as for as they have come to my knowledge,
on tbe foilowing grounds: 1st. an objection to the ratw
of distribution. 8d. an appreh* nsiou that the existence
of such a regulation would pi ounce improvident and op
pressive taxation to raise the funds lor ifotribulion.—
31, That the mode proposed would lead to the construc
tion of works of a focal nature, to Ihe exclusion ol such
as are gcnoral, and as would consequently he of a more
useful character; and, last, that it would create a di*ereti-
table and injurious dependence, en the part ol the
Governments, upon the federal power.’ Of those »h«
object-to the ratio of representation as the ba-ns ol dish i-
bution, some insist that the importations of the respec
tive States would constitute one that would be inortiqoi-
tahl«; and nthcr*, again, that uhc extent or their respec
tive territories would lureiish a standard which would b*
more expedient, and sufficiently equitable. The ratio of
representation presented itself to mj mind, and it still
docs, as one of o vious equity, because of its being the
ratio of contribution, whether tiie funds to be drelributtd
he derived from the customs or from direct taxation. I>
dues not follow, however, that its adoptiuu is indispensa
ble (o th« establishment of the system proposed. Th^re
may he considerations appertaining to tbe sul j ct which
would renders departure, to some extent, frem ibe rule
of cun’.rib tion, proper. Nor is it absolutely iteci ssury
that the b;isis of distribution be confined to one ground.
It may, if, in the judgment of those whose right it i to
fix it, if it be deemed politic and juat to give il that char
acter, have regard to s» rerak •
In my first message, 1 stated it to bc.my opinion that
‘‘it is rmt probable that any adjustment of tbe tariffupon
principles satisfactory to the people of the Union, will,
until-u remote period, if ever, have the Government with
<mt a considerable surplus in the Treasury., beyond what
may be required for its current service.” I have bad no
cause to change that opinion, but much to confirm H.
Should these expectation? lie realiz.-.d, a suitable fund
would thus be produced for the plan under consideration
to operate upon; and if there be uosuch fond, its adop
tion will, in my opinion, work no injury to j.ay intcra?t;
for I cannot assent to the justness of the apprehension
that the establishment of the proposed sjstem would tend
to the encouragement of improvident legislation oi Hit
character supposed. Whatever the proper authority, in
the exercise of constitutional power, shall, at any lime
hereafter, decide tube lor thegencral good, will, in dial
ae in other respects, deserve anJ receive the acquiescence
and support oi (he whole country; and we have ample
security that every abuse of power in that regard, by ihe
agents of the people, will receive « sptedv and effectual
corrective at their hands. The views which 1 take of
the future, founded on the obvious and increasing im
provement of a!! classes of our fellow citizens, in intelli
gence, and in public and private virtue, leave me with
out much apprehension on Mint head.
I do not doubt that those w ho come after ns,
will bo as much alive as we are to the obliga
tion upon all the trustees of political power to
exempt those for whom they act from a!! unne-
cpssnrv burthens, and as sensible of the great
truth, that (he resources of the nation, beyond
those required for the immediate and neces
sary purposes of the Government, can no
where be so well deposited as in the pockets
of the people.
It may sometimes happen that the ini cr
ests ol particular States would not be deemed
to coincide with the general interest in rnla
lion to improvement within such States, flu
if the danger to be apprehended from this
source is sufficient to require it, a discretion
m ght he reserved to congress to direct to surb
improvements of-a general character' ns the
States concerned might not he disposed to u-
nit in, the application of the quotas of those
States, under the restriction T»f confining to
each State Ihe expenditure of'its appropriate
quota, it inay, however he .tt^sumeii as -a
safe general rjule. that such imp*ova-hients as
-erve to increase the prosperity ofthe respect
fv< States in which they are made, 1»y giving
new facilities ho (ratio, and thereby augment*
ingthe wealth and comfort of their inhabitants,
constitute the surest mode ofconfering perma
nent and substantial titlranlagcs upon ibe
whole. The streiigth ns well as the true gdo-
rv of the confederacy is mainly founder! on the
prosperity and power of the several independ-
To the OR© 1 4f se . *he State would receive tta
quota ofthe national revenue for domestic use
upon a fixed principle, as a matter of right,
and from'a fund (o (he creation of which it had
itself contributed its fair proportion. Sorely
there could be nothing derogatory in that.—
As matters now stand, the States themselves*
in their Sovereign character, are not unfre-.
quently pel it toners at the bar of the Federal
Legislature tor such allowances out ofthe Na
tional Treasury ms it may.comport with their
pleasure or sense ol duty to bestow upon them.,
It cannot require argument-to prove which of
(he two courses is most compatible with the
eflicisney or respectability ol the State Gov-?
ermnents
But all tho?e are matters for discussion and
dispassionate consideration That the desir
ed adjustment would be attended with difficult
ty, affords no reason why it should not he
attempted. The effective operation of such
motives would have prevented the adoptioa
of the Constitution under which we have so
iong lived, and under the benign iilfl'ience of
which our beloved country has so signally pros
pered. The tranters of that sacred instru
ment had greater difficulties to oveicome, and
they did overcome them. Th? patriotism of
the people, directed by a deep convict! *n cf
ihe importance of the Union, produced mutu*-
a I concession and reciprocal forbearance.—
Strict right was merged in a spirit of coinpro-
uu-e, and the result nas consecrated their dis
interested devotion to the general weal; Un-
le*s the American people have degenerated/*
the same result can he again effocted.when-
evt r experince points out Ihe necessity of a
resort to the same men-is to uphold the fabric
which their fathers have reared. It is beyond
the power of man to make a system of gov
ernment like ours, or any other, operate with
precise equality upon Slates situated like those
which compose this confederacy ; nor is ine
quity always injustice Every State cannot
expect to shape the measures of the General
Government, to suit iis otvn particular inter*
esis. The causes which prevent il are sealed’
in the nature of things, and cannot be entirely
counteracted by human means. Mutual for*
bear-nice, fh* refute, becomes a duty obligato
ry upon all, and we way, I am confident, count
on a cheerful compliance with this high in
junction on the part .of our constituents. /'{
ned to be Supposedfhat they will object to
rirake sue If comparatively inconsiderable sacri-
(ices for the preservation of rights and privi<
leges which o(her less favored portions of the
wwjid have in vuin waded through seas of
Mood to acquire.
O.ir course is ;t-«nfe one, if it be but faith*
fully adhered to. Acquiescence in the consfr-
tutionaily ex pressed iv d! of the majority, and
tfie exercise of that will in a spirit oi modera
tion justice, and brotherly kindness, will con«
stittile c cement which would forever preserve*
our Union. Those w ho cherish and inculcate
sentiments I ke these, render a most essential
service to their country; whilst those who
set k to weaken their influence, are, however
conscientious and praiseworthy their intent
tions, in effi ct its worst enemies. .
li the intelligence and influence of the
ex ui try, instead of laboring to h m a t section
al prejudices, to he made subservient to party
warfare, were, in gp-od faith, applied to ihe
eradication of causes of local discontent by
'.he improvement of our institutions, and hy
facilitating their adaption to the condition of
the times, this tusk would prove one of less
difficulty. May we not hope that the obvious
interests of our common country, nnd the dic
tates of an enlightened patrioti-m, will, in tho
end, lead llie public mind in that direction.
After all, I he nature of the subject doefl-
oot admit of a phn wholly free from objec
tion . That which has for some time been in
operation is perhaps,.the wori*t that could ex
ist ; and every advance lliaf can be made in
its'improvement is a matter eminently worthy
of your most deliberate atten;iofj.
It is very'possible that one heller calculi-
fed to * ffV ct tiro objects in Vietv may yet be
deyiqed.- If so^-it rs to.be_ hoped iliat those
who disapprove of the past, and dissent from
what is proposed for lite ftpurc, will feel it
(heir duly to direct their attention to it, as
they must be sensible that, unless sotoe fixed
rule for the acti&n of the Federal Govern
ment in this respect is established, the tours?
now attempted to he arrested will be again re-
A ny mode which is calculated td
harmo
ny to our legislation upon the Subject—which
slmll best serve to keep the movements of the
Federal Government within I he sphere infen-
by those who modelled and those
ded
ent sovereignties of which it is composed,
ml the certainty with which they can be] give the greatest degree of effect and
brought into successful, active co-operation,
through the agency of the Federal Govern*
rornf.
It is, moreover, within the knowledge ef
such as are at all conversant with public af
fairs that schemes of infernal improvement
nave, from time to time, been proposed, which
from their extent and. seeming munificence,
were regarded as of naiion^l concernuicrJ*,
but which upon fuller consideration and fur
ther experience, would now he rejected with a
great unanimity
I hat the plan under consideration would de
rive important advantages from its certainty,
and that the moneys set apart for these pur
poses would be more judiciously applied and
economically expended under the direction'ot
the State Legislatures, m which every part of
each State is immediately represented, can
not, I think, he doubted' In the new States
particularly, where a comparatively small pop
ulation is scattered over an extensive surface,
and the representation in Congress conse
quently very limited, it is natural to expect
that the appropriations made by the Federal
Governnret would be more likely to be ex
pended in the vicinity of those members thro’
whose immediate agency they were obtained,
than »f the funds were placed under the control
uf t he. Le gislature, in which every county of
the State'has its own representative. This,
supposition does not necessarily impugn the
'motive* of such Congressional Representa-
♦ives. Nor is it so intended. We are all sen-
thW® of the bias to which (he strongest minds
and purest hearts are. Under such circumstan
ces, liable. ltr respect to the last objection,
it* probable effect upon the dignity and inde
pendence ofthe State Governments,it appears
to me only necessary to state the case as it is,
aud as it would be if the measure proposed
•vere adopted, to show that tbe operation is
most likely to be the very reverse of that
which the ehjjecttoq supposes,*
who
adopted it which shall load lot he extinguish
ment of the national debt in in the shortest
period, and impose the lightest burdens upon
our const ittieuts, shall receive from me a cot's
dial and firm support.
Among the objoejs of great national con
cern, I cannot omit to press again upon your
attention (hat part ol the Constitution which,
regulates the election of President and Tice
President. The necessity for its amendment
is made so clear to my mind by the observa
tion of its evils, nnd by the many able discus*
sions which they have elicited on the floor of
Congress and elsewhere, that I should be Wan
ting 4o my duly were I to withhold another cx«
press ion o! deep solicitude upon the subject*
Our system, forlurrataly contemplates a recur
rence .to fiist principles ; differing in this re
spect. from allJhat have preceded it, and se
curing it, I trust, equally against the dccav and
the commotions which have marked the* pro
gress af other Governments., Our fellow cit
izens, too, who, in proportion to their love of
liberty, keep a steady eye upon the means oF
sustaining ir, do not require to be reminded of*
tho duty they owe to themselves to remedy
all essentia! detects in s.o vital a part of their
system. While they are sensible that every
evil attendant upon its operation is not neces
sarily indicative of p- had organization, but
may proceed from temporary causes, yet the
habitual presence, or even a single instance of
evils which can bo clearly traced to an organic-
defect, will not, I trust, he overlooked through
a too scrupulous veneration for the work of
their ancestors. The Constitution was an ex
periment committed to the virtue nnd intelli
gence of the great mass of our Countrymen *
•n whose ranks the framers of it themselves*
tvere to perform the part of patriotic observa-*