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I >1 FKA IIV ri(l> IAS HAVNES. ESQ.
. VOL. 111. NO. 4».
,^2> lan^
y J,, ao b c <vs on,
Publisher (By Authority,) of lhe Laws
of the United Stales :
OMe« ou Greene Street, nearly oppo
site the Market.
Issued evety Tuesday morning,at $3 per annum
subscription taken for less than a year
and no paper discontinued, but at the option oi
ths publisher, until all arrearages are paid.
Advertise nests conspicuously inserted at the
ftsual rates —those not limited when handed in,
' wiR *be inserted ’till forbid, end charged accord-
M jl V.
CH INGE OF DIRECTION.
We desire such of eur subscribers as may a
tty time wish the direction of their papers chan
tfed Dam one Pa<l Office to another, to' inform
at. is all cates, of the place to which they had
been previously sent; as the mere order to for
watd them to a different office, places it almost
•ut of our poor, to comply, because we have no
meins of ascertaining the office from which they
nra ordered to be changed, but a search through
•ar whole subscription Book, containing severs
thousand names.
POSTAGE.
It m a standing rule with this office, a* well
a« all others that the pastage of all letters and
comraumicatiotis to the Editor or Proprietor
mast be paid. We repeat it again,—and re
quest all parsons having occasion to address us
■poa business connected in any way with the
establishment, to bear it in mind. Persons
wishing to become subscribers to the Standard
•fUnion, are particularly requested to give tliei.
attention to this ; or they will not have the pat
per forwarded to them,
rwiwvxMP I - ■ . ■_ ._■■■■
REMOVAL.
■M
Cabiuet Afarnilure
WIRE RW3.WS.
IHAVE found iny premises 318. a«d2'>B:-oad
st.. too smnll and iucunvobient to afford my
customers fair opportunity of examining what
cney purchase, and have therefo-e
REMOVED
•o the coiner of Broad and Campbell-street, last
swcupie.l by George I). Combs, wit known at
B-nnoch If McKenzie's old stand, where 1 shall
constantly keep on hand a large and general as
sortment of plain fashionable Furniture.
Families wishing to purchase, have uuly to cal
■on the subscriber, to do so advantageously.
N. B.—Orders filled from the North nt shortest
eotiee.
THOMAS M. WOODRI FF.
Kov.lo. if— 43.
Capital Stack ssoo,ol>o—All paid in.
IVERSON 1.. HARRIS.
AGENT at Milledgeville, of lite Georgia in
surance and Tru.t Company, will take Fire
•Mud Marine Insurance out he most reasonable
terms.
thomas s. Metcalf, Pres’t.
Wm. T. Gould. Secr’y.
Directors of th' Georgia Insurnnce and Trust Com
pany, Noceie'jer 4th 1836.
Samuel Huie. Bn ju.nin H. ll'arren,
Daci I ll'. SI. John, Eli-Jia Morton,
Ad >,n Johnston, Edward Thomas,
Autob Moise, James P. Stuart,
Solomon Knetland, Samuel H Peel:,
Hays Bowdre, Isaac T. Heard.
-Pleasant Stonill, II illitim H. Morgan,
Artem is Gould, Harper C. Bryson,
John M. Adams. John F. Cowling,
Andrew J. Miller, Edward Padelfoid.
Nov 17—44
Oyster siml llclrGi House.
THE subscriber has epened a house of this de
scription on the North West oi the Masonii
IHrilt on Wayne street, wher* he will at all time,
furnish Oysters, Relishes, &.c and a variety of othe
things the market usually afl’mds. He invites hi
.fiends and Hie public to give him a call.
Nor. )7— 44-3-t WALTER JONES.
ENF.CI.’TOR'S SALE,—WiII be sold oi
|-Wednesday the 28th of December next a
the late residence of Joint \\ oodnl) deceased in De
Knlii county, all the personal properly of said de
ceased, except tlie negroes, consisting of Horses
Cow* lings &c. Ouz: set of Blacksmith Tools
two Still*, one Road Wagon.—Sale to conliliiii
from day today untill all is sold, ’lerms mad.
knosvuoM the day of sale.
JOHN DOBBS.
HASTEN D. PALMER,
Nov. 17 Executors.
rOL'R MONTHS after date application wil
be made to the Honorable the luferiorcour
of Hancock couuty, whim sitting tin - ordinary pur
|ws.'« ; for leave l« sell lot of laud No. 138, in the
22<l distiict of old late now Stewart county, it be
ing a part of the real Estate of Edward B. Brook
ing deceased, and not included in his last will am
testament, and sold for the benefit of the heir
of said deceased.
JIEBECC \ A. BROOKING.
•Nov J7— 4f Amr'x of the last will of dee'd.
pßpfoE JACKSON’ ACADEMY will point.
JE opqr.itwi the eu uing year, under th,
charge of the User. W. A. Floju.xi.i; mid Lady
,/ifhigJily approved r|ualihi'atous. Having the ad
vautagu ol a (■ii'-ndra). sit'd A-trmimnical am
i’luhi.-optiii id Apparatus. they ■' dl lie able to givi
thorough in - 4nituoji ,iu .aJI the bra.x’hes ot libera
clitcaomr r
Mu.iz'. Ptiipfmg ?u<! tlicFiu*: Art* wti.'betaught
also the laitin amlijri'i k lanigA'ages.
Tim highly reputable rbwaMer 'ff Mr. am
Mrs. Florence. as h-a'diz-r*. eaujot fail to efici
Jar the iii-titiiliou a Übmal palronsge, him! i<» plact
it. in pZ>,mas?4'c<rfUbrity. at least. u<,oii a level wit?
any similar iszititoUiMi jn the Stisto.
The moral <jid healthy co’idrlimi of tins vnlagi
will afford an a 4 dpi mini indueiitin'iit to parent
and guardian. from spriiazl to send llu-ir chilrlrt-ii
for the aecoiuuiudatiou of whom koaidiug ma
be had. cither in private fatu.lien .ur at regula
’.boarding house, at ibe must n dnci-.d pri'-t s.
WILEY W- GAITHER.
>1 c'y. Board*/ Trust nr.
Novcni’ -r. 1 42 w H't
ff/*' ’flii: Southern Recorder. MiMe/lgeville. wil
.nsert the above w< - < kly untill tin- Ist January, an
oiward the account. — Macon T.digraph.
WOTJC E— All p, r-oin htijiiitg any demand
against the estate of Martha Cbddi-rs. lat
of W Mliiiigton eouiity deceased, are reijiiesti-il I
presi-ui ibi-m. in the terms uftli-' law, mid till p<-i
, suns iiMkebted to said estate, arc hereby called o
to <’‘"Hi forward and settle llui same- Glynn couti
(ty. 7th J«>»vi rnbi:r, J. BIT!NETT ndmr.
,Decciqj»,-r. |. il-J—rii Ini
|®je
| The Joint Committee oil the Penitentiary have taken into
consideration the several references made to them—have exam
ined the reports of the Inspectors of th« Penitentiary, (lint of
the Principal Keeper, an.l the several departments connected
i with the Institution. The Institution appears to have been ma
naged with care, prudence and discretion. Tile Severn/ snper
iiiteinl.nits h ive met with the approbation of the several Com
mittees appointed p.ifticnlai lv to examine the respective depart
ments; and the fidelity, energy and genl manifested bv the in
spretots, give good nsstiraiice that they have liti.l tt single eye,
io the improvement of the system of punishment, and lite ini-
I provnm oil of the means to sustain the Institution. With some
i alterations in the transaction of business, as will be developed be
1 low.
Your Committee would specify, that there are four several
departments of labor carried on in the Institution, namely! The I
Blacksmith, Carriage and Harness, Tailorigg, and Cabinet |
departments, all ol which appear to be conducted in a manner i
ev incitig a stale of prosperity and progressive improvement. In
reference to the general character of the work, yonr Committee
hail hot little opportunity of judging, there being but a small
tptantity on hand ; such, however, as passedunder their inspec
tion, they believe to be unexceptionable.
The Committee find the books kept in a plain and comprehen
sive style, corresponding, in detail, with the report submitted, by
which it appears, that twenty-two thousand nine hundred and
ninety-three dollars and fourty-four cents dtte the Institution of
available debts ; and of doubtful, the amount of twelve thousand
i six Ir.nvlred and three dollars eighti-fi*urcents. Tlrey find the
imlebte.lness of the Institution tn be twelve tli.ousand five Intn
-1 dred and fifty-eight dollars and twenty cents, which, deducted
from its available or solvent debts, will leave a balance in favor j
ol the Institution of ten thousand five hundred and thirty-five *
dollars and twenty-six cents, exclusive of one hundred and eighty j
nine dollars and thirty-six cents cash, and the balance of the ap- ,
propriation of the last session, now in band, of twenty-seven bun- ,
dred and twenty dollars forty cents.
Your com nittee would remark, that they deem it of vast im
portance, inasmuch as the State •“ Ultimately connected with the J
prosperity of the ’ j iftlution, that a sufficient stock of material,
particularly wood, properly seasoned, should be constantly!
’on Land, so that the w >rk, when turned out of the Institution, ■
i tinder its warrantee, might be, what it purports to be, of good -
seasoned material and workmanship. For this purpose, yonr I
Committee recommend the loan to the Institution often thousand ’
dollars; this sum, with the balance of appropriation of the last
year and the cash on hand, will amount to twelve thousand nine
hundred and nine dollars ; a sum sufficient, as your Committee ;
conceives, for the object intende ’. Tney further recommend,
that speedy collection of its outstanding debts be made, and, if;
| deemed practicable, to adopt the cash instead of the credit sys
tem, in the sale of its articles. They have also recommended a !
small increase of the pay of some of the officers of the Institu
tion, and the guard, as reference to a bill reported, will more ;
fully appear.
In conclusion, yonr Committee would express the hope, that ;
an institution established upon principles of humanity, will be i
cherished by our government as a mean for the suppression of .'
crim-’, calculated alike tn intimidate the youthful violator of
the law, and the more experienced convict.
A BILL
To l>e entitled, “An A ,- l to provide for tinning the Militia of’
Georgia, places of safety for the Arms and Ammunition, per- !
sons to superintend them, and appropriate payment therefor :
Sec. l«t. Be it cnaalal by the Senate and House of Represen
talires of the State of Georgia in General Assembly met, and
it is hereby enacted by the authority aforesaid, That liis Excel
lency be, and he is hereby authorized to purchase, for the pur- 1
pose of arming the Militia of this State, a sufficient number ofj
; arms to supply the whole of the Militia thereof.
Sec. 2nd. And, be it further enacted, That one one hundred
■ and fiftieth part of the whole shall consist of Artillery. One se
venty-sixlli part of Rifles. One seventy-sixth part of Cavalry
arms, and the balance of Miistpietry.
Sec. 3d. And be it further enacted, That five suitable btiild-
I ings, two at each place, be erected at
and tinder the direction of such person
las the Governor may appoint, for the purpose of securing such
arms and ammunition, and that a room, or rooms, be erected with
the Arsenal at each place, for the use of a keeper or stipes intend
er, to be appointed by the Executive, and removable at his
pleasure, or by the Legislature.
Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty
of the person so appointed, as aforesaid, to take the custody and
j care of all arms and ammunition belonging to the State, and
sent by order of the Governor, or any Brigadier General, to his
place of deposit; and to report, annually, the number, kind and
condition of the arms so placed under bis care and keeping, as ,
! aforesaid.
Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That each person so ap
j pointed, as aforesaid, to take the care and keeping of the arms 1
, at any deposit, shall, before he enters upon the duties of his sta- ■
i tian, give bond and satisfactory security, payable to the Gov- |
ertior and his successors in office, in the sum of dollars, i
for the faithful performance of his duty.
Sec. G. And be it further enacted, That, on the order from ,
; the Governor, the keeper of arms shall be authorized to furnish j
■ i all volunteer companies with such arms as may be necessary to I
j exercise on drill, such volunteer company : Provided., That, be- i
I fore drawing such arms, some member of such volunteer com- j
panv shall give bond and good security, to the State, for the j
safe keeping of such arms, and the return of the same when de- 1
t inntided by the State, through the Executive, or the dissolution
■ of the company.
Sec. 7. And be it further enacted, That the sum of
dollars, of any fluids under
I 1 the control of the State, or hereafter to be placed under the con
, trol ot the Stale, be, and the same is hereby appropriated tor the
purpose of carrying into effect the object of this act.
Sec. 8. An ‘l be it further enacted. That the persons so ap
pziiiited, as aforesaid, to take the charge of the Arms, Arninu
, uition and buildings, aforesaid, receive, annually the stun ot '
dollars, for his services.
j
'I ABSBIzL.
; I'o provide for the payment of Volunteers in this State, in cer- |
lain cases, for services, loss and expenditures during the Lite |
t Creek and Seminole cumpaigns, and to point out the mariner
s t of doing the same.
I ' Sec. Ist. He it enacted by the Senate and House of Repre
sentatives of the State oj Georgia, in General Assembly met, and
' it is hereby enacted by the authoiily of the same, That the sev
’ oral companies, nr other bodies of less then sixty men, battalions,
or r giments of the Militia, which were ordered out to defend the
r frontiers of this State against the recent hostilities of the Creek
ami Seminole Indians, by the commanding officer ol such com
pilin', battalion or regiment, or brigm'e, ami such companies as
1 were formed mid volunteered for the immediate defence ol the
I same without such orders, all of whom were not mustered into
I the service of the United Stales, shall be entitled to receive the
same compensation for their services as though they had been
regtdnrlv mustered into said service.
Sec, 2d. Ami be it further enacted, That it shall h“ the
i> dutv of each and every commanding officer ol the several coin-1
- panics or bodies of men, as aforesaid, whether commisMoned or
" breveted, or appointed by the members thereof to lhe command, i
’ under the exigences of the moment, to make out a muster roll of,
/ bib company, <»r body of men, containing the names and rank of
!III*LEI>OEVIVLe, CmEORQIA, THITHSDAI JMOBIWIIWfi, DEC’EHBER 15, 1536.
the members thereof, the time of their actual service, whether in
lanlry or cavalry, the number of days of subsistence and forage
for man and horse furnished by each, and the quantity of ammu
nition expended by each in said services; and, upon the presenta
tion of such muster roll, duly certified, to the Governor bv the
comirt Hiding officer of such company, it shall be his dutv to issue
his warranton the Treasurer for the amount due said company,
according to the requisitions of the first section of this act, and
full pay for the ammunition, in favor of lhe officer commanding
the sitme. 6
Sec. 3d. Add be it further enacted, That all field and staff
officers shall be paid at and after the same rates which similar
Officers are paid in the service of the United States, upon the pre
sentation of their accounts, duly certified, to the Governor.
SEC. 4th. And be it further enacted, That the sai<l com
[ manding officers of companies shall state upon their muster rolls,
; what property of said company may have been lost in battle or
. in the immediate pursuit of the Indians, or while employed hi ac
•uaf service, together with a statement of the value and name of
the owner, and shall transmit, likewise, to the Governor such
testimony as the claimant may furnish to him of the loss and
value thereof, it shall be the duty of (lie Go.crnor to pay for!
the same : Provided, That the provisions of this net shall not i
extend beyond the loss of horses and equipages, and wearing '
apparel of the soldier. °
Sec. sth. And be it further enacted, That his Excellency the 1
Governor be, and he is hereby required to pay all accounts for '
subsistence, forage, ammunition, clothing, tents, camp equipage,
cooking utensils, transportation, and all expenses necessarily
incurred in fitting up the public arms, which may have been ,
contracted by the commanding officer of any company, battalion,
regiment, brigade or division, or by the Quarter-Master ofeithcr I
of them thereof, for the use of the same, either in the Creek or )
Seminole campaign : Provided, his Excellency shall be satisfied
that the same shall have been purchased in good fa*!].
Sec. Gvh. And be it further enacted, That inasmuch as many !
ot the voliinteers, both in the Creek and Seminole campaigns,
were sick or wounded and required medical assistance which
could not be obtained otherwise than from physicians unconnect- 1
ed with the army, his Excellency the Governor is hereby author- ’
ized to pay all reasonable accounts for necessary medical attest- '
tion and uursing of the volunteers in the Creek campaign, who
were or were not mustered into the service of the United I
States, or wounded Indian prisoners, ps well as all similar ac-'
counts contracted by the volunteers in the Seminole campaign,
either going to, or returning from lhe same, who were unable to.|
procure the services of ti e Surgeon of the army.
Sec. 7th. Be it further enacted, That al! of said companies
or other bodies of men, who had to defray their own expenses on
their way home, shall be paid such reasonable expenses : Pro
vided, the s.<me has not been paid by the United States.
Sec. Sth. And be it further enacted. That all payments made
under this act, shall be made out of anv monies in lhe Treasury
not otherwise appropriated, and that all sinh payments shall be
charged, by lhe Governor, in account against the United States. •
And be it further enacted, That where any duties are required
by the commanding officer of any company, tinder the provi
sions of this act, the same may be performed by the next highest
officer in command : Provided, the said officer maybe dead or
removed from the State. And- be it further enacted. That all
accounts to be settled under this act, shall be audited by the
Coinptroller-General, who, upon evidence of their reasonableness
tinder a liberal construction of this act, shall recommend the same
to be paid to the Governor, who shall, thereupon, draw his war- i
rant on the Treasury for the same.
Sec. 9th. And be it further enacted, That his Excellency the
Governor lie, and he is hereby authorised to demand of the
Treasury of the United States, re-payment of the amount paid
under this act, which are properly a charge under the rub’s and
regulations of war ; and that he be authorized to request our re
presentatives. and instruct our Senators in Congress to obtain
the passage of a special act of Cotigress for the payment of the
ace«unts not so chargeable under the existing laws of the United
States.
Sec. 10th. And be it further enacted. That the loss of money !
which was sustained by the Gwinnett company, at the battle of
Shepherd’s plantation, shall be included in the provisions of
this act. A»rZ be it further enacted. That the companies of
Major Ross’battalion shall be paid for the time they were at i
Black Creek.
i
The President’s Message,
To both Houses of Congress, Dec. 6,1836.
Fellow Citizens of the Siiwtear.il House of Representatives:
Addressing to you the last annual message I shall everpresent to the'
Congress of the I nited States, it is a source of the ino-t heartfelt satisfac- j
tion to he able to congratulate you on the high state of prosperity which !
our beloved country has attained; with no causes nt home or abroad to
lessen the confidence with which we look to the future for continuing ;
; proofs of the capacity ofour free institutions to produce all the fruits of
. good Government, the general condition ofottr affairs may well excite our |
national pride.
I cannot avoid congratulating you and my country, particularly, on the '
' success of the efforts made during iny administration by the Executive and
j Legislature, in conformity with the sincere, constant ami earnest desire
of the people, to maintain petice, and establish cordial relations with all ■
I foreign powers. Our gratitude is tine to the Supreme Ruler of the Uni-j
1 verse, and I invite you to unite with me in offering to Him fervent suppli- .
: cation, that his providential care may ever be extended to those who fol- !
’ low ns, enabling them toavoizl the dangers and the horrors of war, consis- ;
; tently with a just and indispensable regard to the rights and honor of our
| country. But, although the present state of our foreign affairs, standing, ;
i without important change, as they did when you separated in July last, is
' nattering in the extreme, 1 regret to say, that many zptestions of an inter- i
I esting character at issue with o’her powers, are yet mridjtisted. Amongst I
' the most prominent of these is that of our North-eastern Boundary. With I
an undiminished confidence in the sincere desire of his Britannic Majesty’s j
Government to adjust that question. 1 am not yet in possession of the pre- ,
cise grounds upon which it proposes a satisfactory adjustment.
With France our diplomatic relations have been resumed, and under
circumstances which attest the disposition of both Governments to preserve j
a mutually beneficial intercourse,and foster those amicable feelings which ;
tire so strongly rczptired bv tho true interests of the two counfies. With 1
Russia. Austria, Prussia, Naples, Sweden, ami Denmark, the best tinder- i
standing exists, and ottr commercial intercourse is gradually expandingit- I
self with thefti. It is encouraged in all these countries, except Naples,
by their mutually advantageous and liberal treaty stipulations wi.h tn.
Tlieelaitns of our citizens cn Portugal arc admitted to be ju>t, but pro- |
i vision fur the payment of them has been unfortunately delayed by frequent
I political changes in that kingdom.
‘ '[’he blessings of peace have not been secured by Spain. Our connoc-
i tions with that country arc on the best footing, with tl e exception of
1 the burdens still imposed upoil our commerce with her possessions out of j
[ Europe.
i The claims of American citizens forlosscs sustained at tin bombard
! inent of Antwerp have been presented to the Governmentsoi Holland ami
I Belgium, ami will be pres. :d, in due season, to set’lement.
With Brazil, and all our neighbors of this continent, we continue to
: maintain relations of amity ami concord, extending ottr commerce with
i them as far as the resources of the people ami the policy of their Govern
ments will permit. The just and lung standing claims of ourcilizetts up
on some of them, are yet sources of dissatisfaction and complaint. No
danger is apprehended, however, that they will not be peaceably, although
tardily, acknowledged ami paid by all. unless the irritating effect of her
snuggle with Texas should unfortunately make our immediate neighbor’
Mexico, an exception.
It is already known to you, by the corrcspondcneo between the two Gov
ernments, communicated at your last session, that our conduct in relation
i to that struggle is regul ite<l by the same priucip’-’s that governed us in the
dispute between Spain and Mexico herself, ami. I trust, that it will be
| found, on the most severe scrutiny, that our acts h i ve strictly corresponded
I with our pit fissions That the inhabitants of tho United States shonhl
i foel strong prepossessions for the one parly is not surprising. But. this
, circumstance should, of itself, teach us great camion, lest it lead us into
■ the great erior of suffering public policy to lie regulated by partiality or
I prejudice ; ami thete are considerations connected with the posable result !
t>f this contest hetw.’C, i the two parties, of so much delicacy ami impor-
I t'llice to the Unite.l States, that our character requires that wo should nei- ,
j ther aiitirip ito event), nor aitempt to control them. The known desire I
. of tho ’l’.'vi uh to be.'ome a part of our system, although its gratification i
I depends upon the leeoiv ilemeut of various and conflicting interests, no- I
cessarily a work of ti.u •, and unccriain in itself, is calculat-d to expose]
I ou;-conduct to miseoii ,tr uc ; oii in the ey es of the w orld. There tiro al i
Ustr f.'otsscicnce’—'Utsr
- ready those who, indifferent to principle themselves, mid prone to suspect
. the want of it in others, charge us with ambitious designs and itisidiiJihi
policy. You will perceive, by the accompanying documents, that the ex
traordinary mission from Mexico has been terminated, on the sole grounds
that the obligations of this Government to itself and to Mexico, under trea
’ ty stipulations, have compelled me to trust a discretionary authority to a
. high officer of our army, to advance into territory claimed as part of Tex
as, if necessary to protect our own or the neighboring frontier from Indian
depredation. In the opinion of lhe Mexican functionary, who has just left
ns, the honor of his country will be wouuded by Aincrtcau soldief* enter
ing, with tile most amicable itVowed purposes, upon ground from which
the followers of his Government have been expelled, mid 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 Minister was the more
j singular, as he was apprised that the,sufliciency of the causes assigned for
the advance of our troops by the commanding General had been seriously
doubted by me ; and that there was every reason to suppose that the 1
| troops of tire United States—their coinmmidcr having had time to ascer- j
j tain the truth or falsehood of the information upon which they had been !
marched to Nacogdoches—would be either there in perfect accordance with
I 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 ot the impressive warnings their commanding officer had re
ceived from the Department of War. It is hoped and believed that his j
: (lovernmeiit will take a more dispassionate and just view of this subject, :
I rtnd not be disposed to construe a measure of justifiable precaution, made 1
necessary by its known inability, in execution of the stipulations of our,
| treaty, to act Upon the frontier, into an encroachment upon its r/g'_"s, or a !
I stain upon its honor.
i In the mean time, the ancient complaints of injustice, made on behalf i
I of our citizens, ai'e disregarded, and new causes of dissatisfaction have a- j
; tiseu, some of them of a character reqtiiriring prompt remonstrance, and I
] ample aud immediate redress. 1 trust, however, by tempering firmness 1
wit!) courtesy, and acting with great forbearance upon every incident that
| has occurred, or that may happen, to do and to obtain justice, and thus a-1
void the necessity ol again bringing this subject to the view of Con- I
• gress. •
It is my duty to remind you, that no provision 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 bcilig soou able to j
execute the treaty on jts part, it is proper that we should be. in anticipa- |
; tion, prepared at lilt times to perform our obligations, without regard to
the probable condition of those with whom we have contracted them. i
1 he result of the confidential inquiries made into the condition ami pros- j
pects oi the newly declared Texiau Gaverumeui, will be cbmliiuuicaled |
to you in the course of the session.
Commercial treaties, promising great, adaantages to ottr enterprising |
merchants and navigators, have been formed with the distant Govern- I
meats ot Muscat and Siam. The ratifications have been exchanged, hut j
have uot reached the Department of State; copies of the treaties will be ]
transmitted to you, if received before, or published, if arriving after, the
close oi the present session of Congress H
Nothing has occurred to interrupt the good understanding that has long,
existed with the Barbary Powers, nor to check the good will which ij ]
gradually growing up in our intercourse with the dominions of the Gov- !
eminent oi the distinguished Chief of the Ottoman Empire. I i
information has been received at the Department of State that a treaty <
with the Emperor of Morocco has just been negotiated, which, I hope, <
will b. icceivedin time to be laid btfore the Scuate previous to lhe close I
as the Session. i (
Yon will perceive, from the report of the Secretary of the Treasury, j ’
that the financial means ot the country cotttin te to keep pace with its im-]
pro vemeut in ail otner respects, 'j’tie receipts into the Treasury during;
the present year, will amount to about $47, 691,898 ; those from customs ] |
being estimated at $22,0X13,151; those from lands at about 24,<Wi1,00U, | (
ami the residue uom misceiianeoiis sources, 'l he expenditures for all ob- ■ (
jects during Hie year, are es jmaletl not to exceed $3’4,000,000, which w ill !
leave a balance m the Treasury for public purposes, ou the first day of Ja- !
unary next, ot about $41,74a,959. This sum, with the exception of tivo !
millions, witlbj trausfarred to the several States, in accordance with the i
provisions ot the act regulating thz desposiles of the public money.
The unexpended balances of appropriation, of the Ist day of January I
next, are
which will be left in thedeposite banks, subject to the tlraft of the Trea- i
surer of the tinted States, after the contemplated transfurs to lhe several
States are made- If, therefore, the future receipts should-not be sufficient
to meet tlie.c outstanding and luture appropriations, there may be soou a I
necessity to use a portion nf the funds deposited with the States.
The consequences apprehended, w hen the deposite act of tho last ses- ■
sion received a reluctant approval, have been measurably realized. Though 1
an act merely for the deposite of the suiphis moneys ol the United States
in the State I’rcasuries, for safe keeping, until they mey be wanted fur
theserviee ot lhe General Government, it lias been extensively spoken'of
as an act to give the money to the several States, and they have been ad
vised to uscit as a gilt, without regard to the means of refunding it when
called tor. Such a suggestion has doubtless been made without a due
consideration ol the obligation of lhe deposite act. and without a proper
attention to the various principles and interests which are affected by it.
It is manifest th.it the law itsclt cannot .-auction such a suggestion, and
that,as it now stands,the Slates have no more authority to receive ami use
these deposites without intending to return them, than any deposite bank
or atty individual temporarily charged with the safe-keeping oi application ]
ot th j public money, would now have for converting the same to their
private use without the consent and against the will of lhe Government |
But, indepcudeutly of the violation of public faith and mural obligation 1
which are involved m this suggestion, when examined in reference to lhe
terms of the present deposite act, it is believed that the considerations ;
which should gevern the luture legislation of'Congress on thissubject, will
be equally conclusive against the adoption of any measure recognizing lhe
principles on winch the suggestion has been made
Considering tha ultimate etmneetion of this subject with tho financial
interests ot the c.ntitry, and its great importantc in whatever aspect it
can be viewed. 1 have bestowed upon it the most anxious reflection, and
feel it to be my duty to state to Congress such thoughts as have occurtetl
to me, to aid their tteliberatiou in treating it tn the manner best calculated
to conduce to the common good.
The experience of other nations admonished ns to hasten the extinguish
ment of tiie public debt. But it w ill be in vain that we have congratula- •
ted each othe.’upon the disappearance ol this evil, if we do not guard I
against the equally great one of promoting lhe unnecessary accumuli.tion i
of public revenue. No political maxim is better established than that !
which tells us that an improvident expenditure ofmeney is the parent of j
profligacy, ami that no people can hope to peipeluate theij liberties, who
long acquiesce in a policy which taxes them for objects not necessary to
the legitimate ami real wants of their Government. Flattering as is the
condition of our country at the present period because of its unexampled
advance in all the steps of social and political improvement, it cannot be
disguised that there is a lurking danger already apparent in the neglect ol
this warning truth, ami that the time has arrived when the representatives
of the people should be employed in devising some more appropriate reme
dy than now exists, to avert :t.
Uuder our present revenue system, there is every probability that there
will continue to be a surplus beyond the wants of the Government: and
it lias become our duty to decide whether such a result be consistent with
the true objects of our Government.
Should a surplus bu pormitte i to accuim.’atc beyond the appropriation-,
it must be retained iu Hie Treasury, as it no w ;s, or distributed among the
people or the Stales.
Toretaiu it in the Treasury, unemployed in any way, is impracticable.
It is, besides, against the genius of our free institutions, to lock up in vaults
the treasure of the nation. ’l’o take from the people the right of bearing
arms, and put their weapons of defence in the hands of a standing niniy,
would be scarcely more dangerous to their liberties, than to permit the
Government to accumulate immense amounts of treasure beyond tliesup
plies necessary to its legitimate wants. Such n treasure would be doubt
less employed, at sometime, as it has beeu in other countries, when op
portunity tempted ambition.
To colled it merely for distribution to the States, would seem to be hij li
ly impolitic, ifuot as dangerous as the proposition to retain it in the 'l ie; -
sury. 'J'lic sboi tost reflection must satisfy every one, that to require lhe
people to pay taxes te Government, merely that they may be paid back
again, i. sporting with the substantial interests of the country, ami uo sys
tem w hich produces such a result, can be expected to receive the public
countenance. Nothing co tld be .gained by it, even if each individual who
contributed a portion <>f the tax, could receive back promptly the same
portion. But it is -.ipparem, that no system of the kind can ever bu eufiir
eed, which will not aiisorb a considerable portion of the money, to be dis
tributed in salaries mid commissions to the agents employed in the proct ss,
ami in the various lossesan I 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 to them, but to swell the pro
fits of deposite banks, ami support a banzl of useless public officers.
A distribution to the people is impracticable mid unjust, in oilier rcs>-
pects. It would be taking one man’s property and giving it to ano
ther. Such would be the unavoidable result of a rule of equality [and
none other is spoken of, or would be likely Io be adopted] inasmuch
as there is no mode by which the amount of the individual contrilm- I
tions of our citizens to the public revenue can be ascertained. We
know that they contribute unequally, and a title, tlrercfore, that would
distribute to them equally, would be liable to till die objections which
applv to the principle of an equal division of property. 'l’o make
the General Government the instrument of carrying this odious prin
ciple into effect, would be at once to destroy the means of its useful
ness, and change the character designed for it by the framers of the I
constitution.
But the more extended and injurious consequences likely to result 1
> from policy which would collect a surplus revenue for the purpose !
| of distributing it, nity be forcibly illustrated by an exatniiiatiun of the!
! effects already produced by the present deposite act. This act, al- 1
I though certainly designed to secure the safe-keeping of the public re- i
. veirm, is not entirely free, in its tendencies, from tnanv of the ohjec-I
! lions- which apply to this principle of distribution. The Goverment ]
i Irrl, without necessity received, from the people a large stir
! plus which, instead of be’ng er?.ployed, as heretofore, and returned to ]
BY"p. iL
wiioLE iWO. 151
. I ibom by means of the public expenditure, was deposited with sundry
!’ banks. The banks proceeded make loans, upon this su. plus, ami
! thus converted it into banking capital; and in this manner it has ten«i«
edto multiply bank charters, ana has bad a great agency iu producing
I a spirit of wild V)>ccilkitioiu The posaetwion and. use of the property
out of which tins surplus was created, belong to the people ; but th*
Government lias truiisierred its possession to incorporated bunks*
whose interest mid effort it is lomaxe laige profit* out ot its use. This
process need only be stated ro show its injustice and bad policy.
And lhe same observations apply to the influence which it produced
by the steps necessary tocolluclf as well as to distribute MNtb a- ruse*
nue. About tlirco-iilfhs ot ull the duties on imports ate |>aid in the cky
of New Vork, but it is obvious Unit lhe means to pay those duties are
drawn from every quarter of the Union. Every ciiitum ii> every State,
who purchases anti consumes an article wliich lias paid M duly at that
port, contributes to die accumulating iru**. The surplus collected
i there must, therefore, be made up ol moueys or property witlalrawu
; from other points and utiarr .Stales. the wealth and businas* vt
j every region from which these sm pliar funds proceed, must be to soaw
I extent injured, while Uss I ofthp pta«U wlierc the funds -*re coneolitrat
ed, and are employe d in banking, are proportionably extended. But
j both in making the transfer of the funds which are first necessary to
j pay tiiu duties and collect the.surplus—and in making the re-tratisfor
; wnich becomes necessary when the time arrives for ilie distribution a
j that surplus—there is a Considerable period when the funds cannot bu
brought into use ; and it is manifest that, besides the loss inevitable
, tromsucn an operation, its tendency is to pt oduce fluctuations in the
1 business of the country, whicu are always productive of speculation,
and dctrimeutel to the interests of regular trade. Argument C«r«
i scarcely be necessary to show that a measure of this character ought
not to receive further legislative encouragement.
By exammiug- the pracucal operation of tile ratio fur distribution adoptuzl
in the deposite mil ulibc last sestiuti, we shall discover other lemures, dsVt
appear equally objectionable. Let it he assumed, for the sake of ar-wmeut
that the surplus inoueys to lie deposited with the States have been collect
ed, and belong to them, iu Hie ratio of their federal representative popula
tion—an assumption founded upon the fact, that any deficiencies in wilr f«»
ture reveille from imposts mid public lands, must be made up by direcltax-'
es, collected front lhe States in thatratio. ft is proposed to distribute tbs
surplus, say S:JO,OOU,()Ut), not according to the ratio in which it has beciS
collected, <«<d belongs to the people ot the blates, but in that ol their vote*
in the cotleges-of electors of Trusideut aud \ ice President. '1 be etlecteuf
a distribution upon that ratio is sliouu by the .tnuexed tabic, marked A.
By an exau'.aiaiion of that table, it wid be perceived, that in tbedistri-*
butidu of a surplus, of $ upon that basis, there is a great de-
parture f.om the p.iuciple wliich regaids representation as the true mea
sure of taxation : and it will be found that the tendency of that departure
will be to increase wlialevei inequalities have been supposed to ntteiid tlw
operation of our federal system in respect to its bearings upon the differeut
interests of the Union. In making tne basis of representation the basis of
taxation, the framers of the constitution intended to equalize the bardeiM
which are necessary to support Hie Government *, and the adoption es thtM
ratio, while it accomplished this object, was also the means ol adjustiu,'{
other groat topics arising out of tl)e conflicting views respecting tire politi
cal equality of Hie various members ol the confederacy. U iiatever there -
fore disturbs the li >eral spirit of the compromises which eatuvisln 3 a rube
of taxation so just and equitable, and which experience lias pioved tube *0
well adapted to the gemus and habits of our people, should i.e tuctived
~ ith the greatest eaut.ou and disti l st.
A bate inspection, in the annexed table, of the differences prwduflf J
by the ratio used in tbu deposite act, compared wiui the ruxulu of a.
distribution accoiding to tiie ratio oidhect taxation, must satisfy every
unprejudiced mmd, mat the former ratio coiiu avenes the spirit of ttio
constitution, and produces a degree ol injustice in Hie opera,mu of th.*
Federal Government wnich would be fatal to the hope of |ierpetuatiru i '
it. By the ratio of direct taxation, fbf example, Hie btate ot Dela
ware, in the collection of $3,000,0H0 of levenue would pay into Iba
Treasury $188,716 ; and in a distribution us $30,0W0,(J u she uouid
receive back from the Government, according to the ratio oi the depu
site bill, the siim of $31)6,122': ami similar results would loHuw tt>«
comparison between Hie small ami tho large States tliruttJiout tile U»
niun; thus realising tu tlie small States an advantage whit li would Lu
doubtless as nn.icceptabie to lhem as a motive lor incurp'ratiHg lb«
principle in any sy stem which would produce it, as it would be in< i n
sistent witbtlie rights anti expectations of the large Slates. It was cer
tainly the intention ol that provision of the constitution which declare*
that “all duties, imposts and excises” shall “be uniform throughout the
United Slates,” to make the burdens ol taxation fall equally ojhhi tbu
people in whatever State of the U tiion they may reside, licit aliftt
would be tin' value ol such an iiiuforin rule if Hie moneys rained by it
could be immediately returned by a dtllcreut one which will give to
the people ol some Stales mucli more, and tv those of others much
less, than their fair proportions! Were the E-ederal Gotciiimenl t«
exempt, in express terms, the imports, prodints, and maimtacinres of
some portions of the country from all duties, while it imposed
ones on others, the injustice could uot be greater. It would be easy
to show how, hy the operation ot such a pimciple, the large Slates cf
the Union would not only have to cuntr.cu e their just share towarca
■ the siip’iort of the Federal Government, but also have to boar in some
degree the taxes necessary to support Hie Federal Govcmuneiit, but
also have to bear in some degree the taxes necessary to support ILa
Government of their smaller sisters ; but it is deemed unnecessary 10
slate the details where the general primiple is so obvious.
A system lial.le to such bisections can never be supposeci to have been
sanetionecl by the learners 01 Hie c< nstiiut on, when tliey coufizrrei • u Coi>
gress the taxing power; and 1 feel peisuaded chat a uialuic e.au iuanun
of the subject vvdi satisfy even one va..t .here are iusurmouiilabte difficul
ties in the operation ol any pn.u vvhicn can he devised ol collecting revs
line for the purpose of disU’ibU’.ug it. Congress is uuiy aull onzeu tu levy
taxes •• to pay the debts and provide for the common dejuice unit gtnerul wn
fm eof the L nited Citatis." There is uo such provisi..u as w< uh 4 uutliuriza
Congress to collect together the property ol toe cutimry, under the inline
of revenue, for the pui | ose of uivieutlg it equally or uuc’qual.y among th*
States oriiie people. Indeed, it is lioe pr. bable that such an .dea eVcrue -
curred to the stales wl eu they adopted the constitution, i.ut, hawavor
this may be, the only sate rulc ior etsiu interpreting Hie poweis gianted la
the Federal (joverumem, is to regard Hie abseueo of express authority tu
touch a subject so important aud delicate a* tins is, as equivtikwttu a prer
hibiHoii. . .
Even if our ; owers were less doubtful in this ns the «<>nstitutioa
now stands, there tire cmisideratiuus i.Uurcied liy rvccut eX|Hu-H«ic-c, which
would seem to make it our duty to avoid a resort th such a system.
Even if our pjwors were less doubtful 111 this respect, as the con
stitution now stands, there arc; considerations afforded by it;ci*ut expe
rience, which would seem to make it our duty to avoid a resort to such
a system.
-All vv ill admit that tue simplicity and economy of die State Go
vernnients, mainly depend on the tact that-money has to be su; plied
to support them by the same men, or their rigetils, wl.-o Vote it away i»
appropriations. Hence, when there are extiavagant and wastelui up
propii tion, there must be a corresponding increase < f a.es ; and ti«
people, becoming awiiki tied, will uccissatily scrutinize me cliaiactsr
of measures which thus increase their burdens. By tue watchlid eye
cf selt-inmrest, the agents of tire people in lhe State Goveniment*
are repressed, aud kept within the limits of a just economy. But if
the necessity ol levying the taxes be taken from those who make the
appropriations, and tin own upon a more distant aud /ess responsible
set ol public agents, who have power to approach the people by an in
direct and stealthy taxation, there is reason te fear that prodigality
vv.ll soon supercede those characteristics, wbidi have thus far nude us
look with so much pride and confidence to the State Governniet* s, as
t..e main stay of our Union and liberties. The State Legislatures, in
stead of studying to restrict th< ir State cxpenditui <s to tie sn allts.i
possible sum, will Haim credit lor their prolusion, and Larrass the Gc
m ral Government lin increased supplies. Fractic ally, lucre would
soon he but one taxing power, and that vested in a bony oi n ett far re
moved from the people, in which the farming and mechanic interests
would scarcely be tepre.-ented. The States would gradually lose tl.eir
pmity as well as their independence; they would hot due tu mum ur
at the proceeding ol the General Government, lest they should I®•*»
their supplies; all would be merged in a practical conselidation, ce
mented by wide-.spreazl corruption, which could onlv be ei«</icated ly
one ot those bloody revolutions wiijch occasionally overthrow the di »
spotic systems of the old worhk
In all the other aspects in which I ImXre been aide to look at the ef
fect of such a drintiple ot distribution upon the best interest of th*
i.ountiy, I ettn s'e notliingto compensate tor thedisadvantagestu which
I have adverted* It we comidei the protective duties, which are, in
a great degree the soutce ot the surplus revenue, beneficial to 01 e sec
tion oi the I uion, and prejt dicta! to another there is no corrective ter
the evil in such a plan of distribution. On the contrary, there s rue
son to tear that all tlio cj>mphiints which have sprung from th s eat se
would be aggravate.!. Every one must be sensible that a distribution
ot ti e surplus must lieilet a disposition to cherish the means whichere
ate it, an ! any system, therefore, into wnich it enters, zwiwt have »
powerttil tendency Io increase, rather tliau diminish ll « tariff. If it
were even admitted that the advantages of sucht» system could be made
! equal to all tho sections ol th? t nio. , the reason* alt end v so urgen'.i
. ealiint'lor a redttctinn of the revenue, would, iievertbel.'ss, lose nor.’'
> ot their force ; tor it will always he iniprupabic that an intelligent and
! virtu his community ran consent to raise u sui phis for t'iv m re pin(sn
] of d:vidtn!» it, diininislu d as it must inovitablv be ! y times pens. »«il tin
; various machinery necessary Io the. process.*
I he safest ami simplest mode of obviating all the J'flict I >*» wks.
