“I
-§'‘’ .,..~«~i.'.' J A
‘lice. should be accompanied -by the cash. N0
1
., mate 3 nothing threatens.
‘-
untried. has become a scttletl foriri of govern-
tjiitcstiue comtnotions of neighboring coutitrics ;
~-\,d()ln ofiudividual exertion, grid re_st.rj,cieil, more
the intelligence. prudence. and patriotistn of the
' citizens are every yvhere respected. hecatise they r
' to state regulations and individual enterprise.
THE NonW.iLK GAZETTE:
” hear so heavily ‘upon all other countries, _l_i;_iye_
no Lavvanst
*
TWO DOLLARS PER ANNUM,]
#15,:
” ‘VOL. XXI.
NORWALK. Conn. WEDNESDAY. DH+}(}lidIl.i'i3i_—'!<‘.§R 12. «I838.
" nowr give
"ls PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY Mfllildll/ll3,
oven no rr‘s STORE. on THE nocx.
W'est side the Bridge.
Tr:mis.—'I‘wo dollars per annum, payable in
advance—$2 25 at the end of the year.
To subscribers who live out of the Carrier's
district and call at the Oliice for their papers,
$1 50 per year, i paid in adt2ance—other_wise
32 will be charged. Mail subscribers $2 per
annum. payable in advance. Noothers attend-
ed to. and no subscription received for less than
six months. To companies of six or more. re-
eeiving their papers by mall. $I 50: I7‘¥3l“bl‘ all
together, in advance. _ ' _ _
Executor‘s and Administrator's blottces. 3 In-
gertions, $1—Commissioner’s notices, $1 25.
Yearly advertisers. one 5914478. $10 P91” annllm.
payable quarterly in advance. All other adver-
tiseinentsat the rate of $1 per square f"_T 3 "l§9|"
tions. and 25 cents for each subsequent Insertion,
All casual advertisements sent to this Of-
others attended to.
fjfj
['RESIDENT’S MESSAGE-
Fcltaut Citizens of the SW1“ .
and _Hou,.¢of Representatives: _
I congratulate you on the favorable circum-
stances in the condition of our country. Ulltlel’
which you reassemble for the petf0Tlf1f1"°§ “F
your official duties. Though the anttclpulwnv
iifan abundant harvest have not every where
been realized, yet. on the whole, the labors of
the husbandnian are rewarded with a bountrftil
return; industry prospers i_n its various chan-
nels of business and enterprise 3 general bi-alt_h
again prgvails through our vast-diversity of cli-
R from abroad. the con-
mmance of egtcmal peace. nor has any thing
at home impaired the strength of those fraternal
antl doniesticties which constitute the only guar-
anty to the success and permanency of our hap-
py Unioti. and which formed in the hour of per-
il. have hitherto been honorably sustained
through every \'lCl8S~‘lltl(lc in our national aliiiirs.
These blessings, which evince the care and
honeliceitcc of Provideiice, call for our devout
and fervent gratitude.
We have not less reason to be gratcful for
other bounties bestowed by the satne niuntficent
hand. and more exclusively our own.
The present year closes the first halfccntury
of our fcrl.-,ml imoiititioits; and otir system—
differiitg frorii all others in the acknowledged.
practical. and unlimited operation which it has
5,, ,0 1...... 3 period given to the sovert-iguty of
' O
the people-has now been fully I081!-‘Ll l->3 wipe‘
rience.
The constitution tlevised by our forefitliers as
(he framg two;-_k and lmntl '0!‘ that system, lltcll
I:—%
merit: not only preserving and protecting the
great 'priii'ciples‘ upon vt-_liic_l'i it was fouudctl, btit
Vvontiijcrfully plroriititjng intltvitliial happiness and
')|'i}'£}|],,§','ih]_I"e.l’r'_:_SlS. _Though suhjo-ct '.o change
and ep'r_i';_r-. renovtition w-hi-no-ye-.r deemed inade-
'quntet;_;'all those purposes. yet such is the wisdom
of its construction. and so stable has been the pub-
ic seiititiient. that it remains unaltered. cxccpt
in matters of detail. comparatively unimportant.
It has proved amply stzliicient. for the various
piriergcncies incident to our condition as a nation.
A furtiiiilable foreign war : agitating collisions
between dotnestic and, in some. respects. riitil
povereigtitics; temptations to interfere in this
the dangerous influences that arise in periods of
excessive prosperity; and the anti-republican
tendencies of associated wealth—tliese, with
other tritils less forinidsible. have all been eit-
coiintered. and thus far sutrcesrftally ,7.E-"l}.5_led.-
[r “as rpsgryetl for the Al'llel’l_C1‘1fl~ Union to test
the advantages ofa gqvertiipent entirely depen-
dent on the continued exercise of the popular
t_.vill ; and our experience has slt,'_)_\vt1 that it is as
‘ceuificent in practice as it is just in theory.——
Each successive change made’in our local insti-
tutions has contributed to extend the right of
ntiilrngc, has increased tlie direct in_f_lut-iici-. of
the triziits ofthe cr)tltflll,ll.|_l_l_V. giver: urctiter free-
_and more, the powers of gqverttmetit; yet the
people have kept pace w_i_tli this atigtjijeiited re-
sponsibility. In no contitiy has education been
sp widely diffused. Dotnestic peace lias no-
where ,0 largely reignptl. The close bond. of
social intercourse have in tto tnsttiitce prevail:-tl
with such hartnony over it space so va_st. All
forms of religion have unlitt.-ill. for the ',f,ir.;tt time.
to diffuse charity and piety. l,>8,¢!IU8e. for the first
time in the history of nations. all have been to-
tally untramntellcd. and absolutely free. The
deepest recesses of the Wilderness have been
penetratetl : yet. instead of the zrntlencss in the
social condition consequent’ upon such a_dyeptti res
elsewhere, numerous communities hays sprung
up. already unrivaled in prpsperity. general in-.
telligence. internal tranquility. 811d We Wisdflm
.oftheir political institutions. {Internal improve-
ment. the fruit of individual enterprise, dstyered
by the protection of the States. has ad ed" new
links to the cotifedelration. and fresh rewairds to
provident industry. Doubtful questions of do-
mestic policy have been quietly settled by mu-
tual forbearance ; and agriculture. cpr_rirrierce.-
and manufti,ct_u_r'e,s. minister to each" other.
Taxation aii_d public debt. the burdens which
ressed with _c_ornparat':ve lightness upon’ us.‘
§Vithout one _en,ta,nglii_ig alliance, our fr_i_'en,dship
is prized by e.yo_ry nation : and the ri_2h1s,of our.
are known to be guarded by a united, sens_itiv_e.'
_and watchful people.
To this practical operation of our institutions,-'
so evident and tiitccessful. we owe that in_c_reas.ed-
‘Attachment to them which is among the inost
cheering cxhjbitions of popular sentiment. and
still prove the best security, in time t_o cotne,
against foreign or domestic assault.
‘ This reviéiw of the results of our institutions.
for half acc,i:t,nry, without exciting it spirit of
vain exultation. should serve to impress upon us
the great principles from which . they have
sprung; constant and direct supervis_ion_by the
people over every public measure; strict _for-
bearance on the part of the government frorn ex-.
gfciging.s‘ny d0l]:.bl_i:lll or disputed powers; and a
,cau_tiona'abstin_en¢o from all interference with
donccrns yvhtch pr,o,p_erly belong, and are best left
0
Fullyinformation of the state of our foreign
now to bring to your notice only such events as
ltave subsequently occurred. or are of such im-
portance as to require particular attention. ‘
The most amicable dispositions continue to be
exhibited by all t'rie nations with whom the Go
vernment and the citizens ofthe U. States have
an habitual intercourse. At the date of my last
annual message. Mexico was the only nation
which could not be included in so gratifying a
reference to our foreign relations.
I am happy now_ to be able to infcrm you that
an advance has been made towards the adjust-
ment of our diliiculties with that Republic. and
the restoration ofthe customary good feeling be-
tween the two nations. This important change
has been eflected by conciliatory pegociations.
that have resulted in the conclusion of a treaty
between the two governments. which, when rati-
fied, will refer to the arbitratnpnt of ti friendly
power all the subjects ofcoritroversy between us
growingontofinjirries to individuals. There is,
at present, also, reason to believetbat an equita-
ble settlement of all disputed points will be at-
tained without further difficulty or unnecessary
delay, and thus authorize the free resumption of
diplomatic intercourse with our sister republic.
With respect to the northeastern boundary of
the U. States. no oflictal correspondence between
this Governmenr and that of Great Britain has
passed since that communicated to Congress to-
wards the close of their last session. The offer
to negociate a convention for the appointment of
a joint commission ofsurvey and exploration. I
am. however, assured will be met by her niajes-
ty's government in a conciliatory and frietrdly
spirit. and instructions to enable the British ruin-
isler here to conclude such an arrangement will
be transmitted to him without needless delay.-
It is hoped and expected that these instructions
will be ofa liberal character. and that this nego-
ciation. if successful. will prove to be an impor-
tant step toward the satisfactory and final adjust-
ment ofthe controversy.
I had hopetl that the respect for the laws and
regard for the peace and honor of theirown coun-
try. which lias ever characterized the citizens of
the U. States. would have prevented any portion
ofthem from using any meatis to promote insur-
rection in the territory ofa power with which we
are at peace, and with which the U. S. are desir-
ous of maintaining the most friendly relations. I
regret deeply. however. to be obliged to inform
yoti that this has not been the case. Informa-
tion has been given to me, derived from official
and other sources. that many citizens of the U.
States liti;.'.‘;"a§so’riiat'e'd together I5 make hostile
ittffttrslfytts l'_r«tm our territory into Canada, and to
aid and abet insurrection there. in violation of
the obligations and laws ofthe U. States, and in
open divipt-' ard of'tli"e"r own duties as citizens.
'l‘lii-3 _lm'orriiatio_n‘lias been in part c'on'firmeil. by
it hostile iiivas_i_i_i,r;' :€_l(,"l_tl_a_l'lY made by citizens of
the U. States, in conjunction with Canadians and
others, and accompanied‘ by a forcible sei2"“° of
the property of our citizens. and an application
ilicreofio the prosecution of tnilitary operations
against the authorities and people ofCanada.
The results of these criminal assaults upon the
peace and order of a neighboring country. have
been. as was to be expected, fatally destructive
to the misguided or deluded persons engaged in
ilwin, and highly injurious tothose in whose be-
half they are professed to have been undertaken.
The autlinritics in Canada. front intelligence.
received of stich intended movements among our
citizens. have felt themselves obliged to take
prccaiitiouary measures against them ; have ac-
tually embodied the militia, and assumed an at-
titude to repel the the invasion to which they be-
lieved the Colonies were exposeil from the U.
States. A state of feeling on both sides of the
frontier has tlius been produced. which called
for prompt and vigorous interference.“ If an in-
surrvcllutl existed in'_Catiailti, the amicable dis-
positions n_ft_h;e _U. States towards Great Britajn.
as well as their'duty to themselves. would lead
them to maintain ;_i strict neutrality. and to re-
strain their citizens from all violations of the
laws whicli have been passed for its enforcement.
But this Government recognizes a still higher
obligation to repress all attempts on the part of
its citizens to disturb the peace of a country
wherc order prevails. or ltas been reestablished.
Dr-predations by otir citigrens upon nations at
peace with the United States." or combinations
for committing them. have a: all times been re-
garded by the Amerinan Goyernmetit and peo-
ple with the greatcft abhoretice. Military incur-
sions by otir citipens into countries so situated.
and the commission of acts of violence on the
ll'l_Elll_l)t'l'S thereof. in order to effect a change in
its gt)L'Eftlfll,(}lll. or under any pretext whatever,
have. from the cotnmencement of our govern-
tiretit. been held equally criminal on the part of
those engaged in them. and as much deserving
of punishment as would be the disturbance of
the public peace by the perpetration of similar
acts within our own territory.
By no country or persons have these invalua-
ble principles of international law——principles.
the strict observance of which is so indispensa-
ble to the preservation of social order in the
woild—been more earnestly cherished or sacred-
ly respected than by those great and good men
who first declared. and finally established. the
independence of our own country. They pro-
mulgated and maintained them at an early pe-
riod in our history ; they were subsequently cin-
bodied in legislative enactments of a highly
pedal c_haracter, the faithful enforcement of
which "has hitherto been, and will. trust. al-
ways coutinue to be. regarded as a duty‘ insepa-
rably associz_ite_d with the niairitenance of our na-
tional ‘hon_or.i That the people of the United
States should feel an interest in_ the spread of
poliiical institutions as free as they regard their
own" to be','is"na"tural ; nor can a sincere solici-
tude for 't'_ht§ success of all those who are, at any
time. in good" faith. struggling for their acquisi-
tion, be irfipnted to our citizens as a crime. With
the entire freedom of opinion, and an undisguis-
ed expression ilie_reof, on their part. the govern-
ment _l_i'as 'neither'the right. nor I trust, the dis-
positioiifo i_n'ter_fe,ré. But whether the interest
or the lio_n_or',of',the U. States reqtiire. that they
should be tnade a party _to any such struggle.
and. byinevitable co,nsr'3quen,ce. to the war .W,l,llCll_
our constitution. is wisely left to Congress alone‘
to decide. It is by the laws, already made crimi-
nal in ouroitizens to'etr_tbari'as__s or a'_nt_ici pate that?
decision by unauthorized military" op_e,rat_ions on’
their part. ' ‘ ‘ ' ' "
_Qliences ofthis _chara_cter. in addition to their
criminality as violationsof the laws of our coun-
try, have a ‘direct tendency toidrayv down upon
our ClllZ_8l‘l8 at large the iriultiplied ‘evils of a
aflairs having sen r_o,c_en_tly_. on different occa-
oh .'°."‘.".i“.°.l 3° 9°"8""~.1.€!°°“““£t9Ft9?"*Y-
foreign war, and expose to injurious imputations
the good falrtlt pind honor of the country. As,
is waged in its support. is a question which. by'
sucl: they deserve to be pin down, with prompti-
tude and decision. cannot be tiiistakeit, I am
_confident. in counting on the cordial anil general
concurrence of our fellow citizens in this senti-
ment. A copy of the proclamation which I
have felt it my duty to issue, is herewith com-
tnunicated. I cannot but hope that the good
sense and patriotism, the regard for the honor and
reputation of their country, the respect for the
laws which they haye thetnselt/cs enacted for
theirown government. and the love riforder for
which the mass ofotir people have been so long
and so justly distinguished, will deter the coin-
paratively few who are engaged in them from a
further prosecution of such desperate enterprises.
In the mean time, the existing laws have been.
and will continue to be, faithfully exccuted; and
every effort will be made to carry them out in
their fullest extent. Whether they are sufficient
or not, to meet the actual state ofthings on the
Canadian frontier. it is for Congress to decide.
It will appear front the corrospoiideiice here-
with submitted, that the governtnont of Russia
declines a renewal of the fourth article ofthe con-
vention ofApril. 1824, between the U. States and
his imperial majesty, by the third article of
which it is agreed that " hereafter there shall
not be formed by the citizens ofthe United States,
or under the authority ofthe said States, any es-
tablishment upon the northwest coastofAmerica,
nor in any ofthe islands, adjacent, to the north
of54 deg. 40 min. of north latitude ; and that in
the same manner there shall be none formed by
Russian subjects, or under the authority of Rus-
sia, south of the same parallel ;” and by the
fourth article. "that, during a term often years,
counting from the signature of the present con-
vention, the ships of both powers. or which be-
long to their citizens or subjects respectively. may
reciprocally frequent. without any hindrance
whatever, the interior seas, gulf. harbors. and
creeks upon the coast mentioned in the preced-
ing article. forthe purpose offislring and trading
with the natives of the cottntry.” The reasons
assigned for declining to renew the provisions of
this article, are. briefly. that the only use made
by our citizens ofthe privilege it secures to them,
has been to supply the Indians with spirituous
liquors, airirnunition. and fire arms; that this
trallic has been excluded from the Russian tra e;
and as the supplies furnished fr,om the U. States
are injurious to the Russian establishments on
the north west coast. and calculated to produce
complaints betweenthe two Governments. his
imperial majesty thinks it __forthe interest of both
countries not to accede to the proposition‘ rr'ia'de
by the American government for the renewal of
the article last referred to.
The correspondence herewith communicated
will show the grounds upon which we _c_Qntend
that the citizens ofthe U. States haye, indepen-
dent of the provisions ofthe convention of 1824,’
a right to trade with the natives upon the coast
in question. at unoccupied places. liable, how-
ever. it is admitted, to be at any time extinguish-
ed by the creation of Russian establishments at
such points. This right is denied by the Rus-
sian government, which asserts that. by the
operation ofthe treaty of 1824,each party agreed
to waive the general right to land on the vacant
coasts on the respective sides of the degree of
latitude referred to. and accepted. in lieu thereof,
the mutual privileges mentioned in the fourth
article. The capital and tonnage employed by
our citizens in their trade with the northwest
coast of America.’ will, perhaps. on adverting to
the official statements of the com merce and navi-
gation ofthe U. States for the last few years. be
deemed too inconsiderable in amount to attract
much attention; yet the subject may. in other
respects. _t;lé'_ser‘,ve the careful consideration of
Congress. '
I regret to state that the blockade of the prin-
cipal ports on thepasterti coast of Mexico. yvhicli.
in consequence of difi"erences between that Re-
ptll)l_l,C and France was instituted in May last.
unfortunately still continues, enforced by a com-
petent French naval force. and is necessarily
embarrassing to our own trade in the gulf. in
corninon with that of other nations. Every dis-
position, however, is believed to exist on the part
of the French government. to render this meas-
ure as little onerous as practicable to the inte-
rests of the citizens ofthe U. States, and to those
of neutral commerce; and it is to be hoped that
an early settlement of the difficulties between
France and Mexico. will soon re-establish the
harmonious relations formerly subsisting between
them. and again open the ports of that Repub-
lie to the vessels of all friendly nations.
A convention for marking that part of the
boundary between the U. States and the Re-
public of Texas. which extends from the mouth
of the Sabine to the Red River, was concluded
and signed at this city on the 25th of April last.
It has since been ratified by both Governments;
and seasonable measures will be taken to carry
it into effect on the part of the United States.
The application of that Republic for admis-
sion into this Union. made in August. 1837, and
which was declined for reasons already made
known to you. has been formally withdrawn. as
will appear from the accompanying copy of the
hole of the Minister Plenipotentiary of Texas.
which was presented to the Secretary of State
on the occasion of the exchange of the ratifica-
tions ofthe Convention above mentioned. " '
Copies of the convention with Texas. of a
commercial treaty concluded with the _King of
Greece, and of a similar treaty with the‘ Bern-
Bolivian Confederation. the ratifications of
which have been recently exchanged. accompa-
ny this message for the information of Congress,
and for such"legislative'enactmetits as may be
found necessary or expeditnt, iurelation to ei-
ther of them. '
To watch over and foster the interests of a
gradtially increasing and widely extended com-
merce; to guard the rights ofAmerican citizens,
whom business or pleasure, or other motives may
tempt into distant chines, and at the same time
to cultivate those sentiments of mutual respect
and good will which experience has proved so
beneficialin international intercourse, the Gov-
er_nm_eut of the United States has deemed it ex-
pedient, from time to tiirre. to establish‘diploma-
tic connections with difi'ererit'fo'r_e_ign States, by
the appointment representatives to reside with-
in their respective territories. I am gratified to,
be enabled to announce to yoti tliatj sinlée the?
‘close of your last session, these relationii have
beeii opened under the happiest auspices with
Austria and the Two Sicilies; that new nomi-
nations have been rtiade iii the'”respect,i_ve mis-t
sions of Russia, Brazil. Belgium. and "Sweden
and Norway, in this country; and that a Min-
ister Extraordinary has been received, accredit-
ed to this Government from the Argentine Con-
federation.
UP l'HE SHIP,”
fPAYABLE IN ADVANCE.
.4;
N0.
:
An exposition 'of the fiscal affairs of the Go-
vernment. and of their ciintlitihn for the past
year, will be riia,t.le to you by the Secretary of
the Treasury.
The available balance in the Treasury on the
lstof January next, is estimated at $2,765,342.
The receipts of the year, from (-u.-toms and lands,
will probably amount to $20,615,598. The usu-
al sources of revenue have been increased by an
issueofTreasury notes; ofwhicli lessthan eigli!
millions of dollars, including inlercsl and prin-
cipal. will be outstanding at the end oftlte year.
and by the sale of one of the bonds nftlie Bank
of the U. States. for $2,254,871. The aggre-
gate of means from these and other sources,\vitli
the balance on hand on the 1st of January last,
has been applied to the payment of appropria-
tions by Congress. The whole expendittire for
the year on their account, including the redemp-
tion of more than eight millions of Treasury
notes. constitutes an aggregate of about forty
millions of dollars. and will still leave in the
Treasury the balance before stated.
Nearly eight millions of dollars of Treasury
notes are to be paid during the coming year. in
addition to the ordinary appropriations for the
support of Govcrtzment. For both these pur-
poses. the resources of the Treasury will un-
doubtedly be sufficient, if the charges upon it
are notincreased beyond the anntial estimates.
No excess, however, is likely to exist; nor can
the postponed instalmentof the surplus revenue
be deposited withthe States. nor any considera-
ble appropriations beyond the estimates be made,
without causing a deficiency in the Treasury.
The great caution, advisable at all times. ofliin
iting appropriations to the wants of the public
service, is rendered necessary at present by the
prospective and rapid reduction pf the tariff;
while the vigilant jealousy. evidently excited
among the people by the occurrences of the last
few years, assures ustltat they expect from their
representatives, antl‘will sustain them in the ex-
ercise ofthe most rigid economy. ' Mitch car) be
effected by postponing appropriations not imme-
diately required for the ordinary public service.
or for any pressing emergency; and much by
reducing the expetiditiircs where the entireand
immediate accomplishment of the objects in view
is not i‘ndisp',erisable. ' "
bank paper. aggravated by ihe‘ unforseen with-
drawal of much foreign capital. and the inevita-
the surplus revenue among the States as required
incurred by the r.ein'o_val of Indian tribes; by
count ofthe unusually large appropriations made
at the last two annual sessions of Congress for
other objects; we have striking evidence, in the
abundant resources of the country to fulfill all
its obligations. Nor is it less gratifying to find
ly affected as it has been. is reviving with addi-
tional vigor. chastened by the lessons of the past,
and animated by the hopes of the future. By
the curtailment of paper issues; by curbing the
sanguine and adven'urous spirit of speculation.
and by the honorable application of all available
means to the fulfillrrient of obligations. confi-
dence has been restored both at home and abroad,
and case and facility secured to all the operations
of trade.
The agency of the Government in producing
these results has been as eliicient as its powers
and means permitted. By withholding from the
states the deposite of the fourth instalment, and
leaving several millions at long credits with the
banks, principally iii'one' section ofthe country.
and more immediately beneficial in it; and. at
the same time, aiding the banks and the corti-
mercial communities in other sections, ‘.1 post-
poningthe payment of bonds for duiies to the
amount of between four and five millions of dol-
lars; by an issue of Treasury notes as a means
to enable the goverumentto meet the consequen-
ces of their indnlgencies, but aliording at the
same time. facilities for the remittance and ex-
change; and by steadily declining to employ as
general depositories of public revenues, or re-
ceive the notes of all banks wliicli refused to re-
deem them in specie: by these measures. aided
by the favorable action of some of the banks. and
by the support and cooperation ofa larg',e"i'.),ortit)n
of the community. we‘have‘ witnessed an early
resumption of specie payments in our great com-
mercial capital. promptly followed in almost eve-
ry part of the U. States. This result has been
alike salutary to the true interests of agriculture.
commerce and manufactures; to public morals,
respect for the laws, and that confidence between
man and man which is so essential in all our so-
cial relations.
The contrast between the suspension of I814
and that of 1837 is most striking. The short du-
ration of the latter; the prompt restoration of
business; the evident benefits resulting from an
adherence by the Government to the constitu-
tional standard of value, instead of sanctioning
the suspension by the receipt of irredeernable
paper; and the advantages "derived from the
large amount of specieintrodnced into the coun-
try‘ previous to 1837, afford a valuable illustra-
tion of the true policy of the Governnieiit in
such a crisis. Nor can the comparison fail to
remove the impression that a national bank is
iiec,essary"in such emergencies. Not only "were
specie payments resumed without its aid. butex-
changes have also been more rapidly restored
than when itexisted; thereby showing that pri-
vate capital. enterprise, and prudence are fully‘
adequatéto these ends. On all these points ex-
perience seems to have confirmed the views here-
tofore submitted to Congress. We have been
saved the mortification of seeing the distresses of
the community [or the third time seized on to
fasten upon the country so dangerous an institu-
tion; and we may also hope that the business of
individuals will hereafter be relieved from the
injurious effects of a continued agitation of that
disturbing subject. " ' '
The limiied influence of a national bank in
averting derangetnjetit in the exchanges of the
country. or in compelling the resumption ofspe-
cie payments. it: now not less apparent than its
tendency to increase iriorrlinate speculation by
sudden expansions and coritractions : its disposi-
tion to create panic and eflll)i,J'l"l"8S_Sll],8nl for the
promotion of its own designs; interference
with politics; and its far grcaterpowerifor evil
than for good, either in regard to their local in-
stitutions or the operations of Goverhtnent itse f.
What was in these respects but apprehension or
opinion, when a national bank was first establish-
ed, now stands confirmed by humiliating experi-
ence. The scenes through which we have pass-
.. . . ,
When we call to tnind the recent and extreme
embarrassments produced by excessive issues of
le derangement arising from the distribution of
by Congress; and consider the heavy expenses
the mjlitary operittions Florida; and an ac-
present efficient state ofour‘ fitiatices, of the_
that the general business of the community, deep-
ed, conclusively prove how little our (f()iltltiel('6.
agricultttre. riiatittfacturcs, or linanccs. rcqttire
such an iristitiition,and what dangers are attenti-
ant on its pmver—a power. I trust, never to be
conferred by the Aiuerican people ttpon their
Government. and still less upon individuals not
rcsponsible to them for its ttiiavohltible abuses.
My conviction of the neL'essit_v offttrtlicr legis-
lative provisions for the safe kct-.piii_2 and ills’
hurserrientoftlie ptihlic moneys, and my opinion
in reg.-irtl to the measures best adopted to the ac-
coiiiplishnient of those objects. have been already
submittted to you. These have been strength-
ened by recent events; and, in the full convic-
tion that time and experience must still ftirther
demonstrate their propriety. I feel it my duty.
with respectful dilierence to the coriflicting views
0 f others, again to invite your attettiirtti to them-
Willi the exception oflimitetl sntns deposited in
the few banks still employed under the act of
lS3G. the amounts received for duties, and, with
very inconsitlerable exceptions. those accriiing
from lands also. have, since the general suspen-
sion of specie payments by the -leposite banks,
been kept and disbursed by the Treasurer. under
his general legal powers. subject to the superin-
tendencc of the Secretary of the 'l‘reasury.—--
The propriety of ilefiiiirig more specifically. and
of regulating by law, the exercise of this wide
scope of Executive discretion, has been already
submit_ted to Congress. ‘ " ' "'
A change in the uliice of collector at one of
our principal ports. has brought to light a defol-
cation of the gravest character. the 'par'tjctil’zirs of
which will be laid before‘ you in it special report
from the Secretary of the Tn-asury. By his re-
port and the accompanying docuuients. it will
be seen that the weekly returns of the default-
ing oliicerappnrently exhibit. throughout, a faith-
ful administration of the affairs intrusted to his
management. It, however. now appears that he
commettccd abstracting the public moneyg §hort-
ly after his appoiitttnerit. and coritintted to do so,
progressively increasingthe arriourit for the tertii
of moreilian seven years. erribracirig aportiqii
of the period during wlticli the pulilit: imouciys
were deposited lllillle Bahk of the U. States, the
whiileiof tliat ofihe State bank deposite'i,;ystetii,
and concluding only on his retirerncrit from otiir.-cl
after that systetn hatlisnitstaritially tailed. in cori-
sequence-‘of the suspension of specie paymeiits.
The way in which this dcfalcation was so
long éoiicealeil. and the steps taken to intleinnify
the U. States. as far as practicaule, against loss,
will also be presented to yoti. The case is one
which imperatively claims the attention ofCon-
gress. and furnishes the strongest motive for the
establishment of a more severe and secure sys-
tem for tit?‘ safe keeping and tlislmrsemcntof tlie
public moneys than any that has heretofore ex-
isted.
ll scents proper. at all events. that. by an ear-
ly enactment, similar to that of other coiiritries,
the application of public‘ money by an officer of
Government to private uses. should be made a
felony. and visited with severe and ignotninious
punishment. This is already. in effect. the law
in respect to the mint, and has been productive of
the most salutary results. Whatever system is
adopted, such an enactment would be wise as an
independent m:-usure. since niucli of the public
moneys must. in their collection and ultimate
disbursement. pass twice through the hands of
public officers, in whatever manner they are
iutermediately kept. The Governmcnt, it must
be adtnitted. has been from its commencement
comparatively fortunate in this respect. Buttlie
appointing power cannot always be well advised
in its selections, and the experience ol every
country has shown that public otlicers are not'at
all times proof against temptation. It is a duty.
therefore, which the Government owes, as well
to the interests committed to its care as to the of-
ficers themselves, to prhviile every guard against
transgressionsof this character. that is Cottslslctit
with reason and ltunianity. Congress cannot be
toojealous of the conduct of lll'(')§B’y§'j?() ‘are iti-
trusted with the public money, and I shall at all
times be disposed to encourage _watclil'ul dis-
charge of this duty. " l‘ ’ ' "
if a more direct cooperation on the part of
Congress, in the supervision of'tl:e conduct ofthe
oflicers intrusted with the custody and applica-
tion of the public money is deemed desirable, it
will give me pleasure to assist in the establish-
ment of anyjudicious and coristitutional plan by
which that object may be'ac'_-omplished. _You
will. in your 'wi§tlo'm. detertnine upuri the plan.
and upon the iiieasitire necessary to its. f’lii‘.(‘lll8l
execution. '\Vhen the late Bank of the U. States
was incot porated, and made the depository ofthe
public moneys. a right was reserved to Congress
to inspect, at its pleasure. by aciiriimittee oftlzat
body. the books and proceedings ’o’f'the bank.-
In one ofthe states whose banking institutions
are supposed to rank amongst the first in poiritof
stability. they are subjectedto constant examin-
ation hy commissioners appointed for that pur-
pose. and much ofthe succjess ofits jganking sys.
tem is attributed to this watchful su'p'crvision.—
The same course has algae. in view cfits benefi-
cial operation, been adopted by an adjoining
state, favorably known for the"curc it has al-
ways bestowed upon whatever relates. to its fi-
nancial concerns. ' ' "
lsttbmit to your consider_at_i_on whether 8 com-
mittee of Congress might ribt be profitably eni-
ploy_edin inspc_ct_ing. at sncli intervals as might
be deemed proper. the affairs and accounts ofotli-
ccrs intrustedwith the custody of the public ino-
neys. The frequent performance of this duty
might be niade~tibligattiry oi: the committee in
respect tothose officers who have large sums in
their possession. and left discretionary in respect
to others. They rriight report to the Executive
such defalcation as were l.0,U_.Ud F0 exist. Will! it
view to'a prompt removal from oiiice unless the
default was szitisfactorily accounted for; and re-
port. alsofto Congre'ss,'at the corirrnenceiiieiit of
each session, the result of their exaiiiinations and
proceedings. It does appear to me that, with it
subjection of this class of public otlicers to the
general supervision of‘the Executive’. to exami-
nations by a committee of Congress at periods
of which they should have no" previous notice,
and to prosecution and piinisliirtent as for felony
for every breach oftrust, the safe keeping of the
public moneys, underthesystcin proposed. might
be placed on a surcr foundation thaiiit has ever
occupied since the establishment of the Govern--
meni. ‘ . '
The Secretary ofthe Treasury will lay before
you additional infortriatioii c_on'taining new details
on this interesting subject. To these lask your
parly attention. ' That itshould have given rise
to great diversity of opinion cannot be 'a subject
of ‘surprise. After the collection a,r_t,t_l custodyiif
the public moneys had been for so many years
.“ H‘
r i
\'illlf'e'nPnl of private inte"ests. a retttrn to the
simple and self-ilr-trying ordinances of the corr-
stitutinn could not but he difiicult. But time and
free (ll.-’t!llSSi()n clit-it’ g the sentiments ofthe pep‘.
ple. and. and aided by that pnricilialflry Spill
which has ever characttgri-{zed théii course or;
great eniergencies, were relied upoti fora satis-
fiictpry settlcnierp nflht°_ uestinn. Alrcady has
this anticipatiort on one important hit); at iea'§__l
—the impropriety oftlivening pbhltc money If}
private pttrppscs—becn fully rcnlizedf Tlipfejg
no reason to suppose that legislation upon tbaf
branch ofthe stibject would now he einbarrasse ‘
by a rlilicreiicc of upini_on, or fail to regeiye lh0_
cordial support ofa large majhrity of 69!‘ §-ffilfif
sttlttents.
The connection which formerly existed be-_
tween the Government and Banks was in reality
injurious to both, as well as to the tzenctjttl In-
lercsls ofthe community at large. lt rtggrayat:
etl the disaiatnrn of trade and the tterantretrieu
of commerce" intercourse, and administers
new excitement. and additinntil means to wild
and reckless spnctilations. the disappointrnentg
of which threw the countr into the conyulsionit
of panic. all but protlucc violence and blppjlil
shed. The imprudentcxpattsion of bankere:
dits, which was the natural result. of the com-
mand of the revenucs of the state. furnished the
resources’ for unhoiin, pd license pi‘ e'v'e'ry specieg
of atlvcitturc, sedtieeil indpatry from its regu at-.
by the hope of abtiti -
eitiiijgtad the social
state by tempting all trades and professions into
the yortcx of speculation on remote continggpf
cies.
'I‘ltt-2 same wide spreading influence impeded
also thi-. resources of the government, curtailed
its useful operations, embarijssetl the fulfilment
of its obligations, and seriously ipterfered with
the execution of the laws. Large appropriations
and op ressiyc tn xcs are the natural consequence
of suclia cotrrteétiutt, since they increase the
profits of those who are allowed to ttéethe pub-
lic funds; and make it their interest that motley
shotild be accpiiitilated and expendittires multi-
plied.
siitl sttltita_ry' occttpations
ancé without‘ labor; and
It is ‘tliiis that a concenti-ri'ted m'6iie'y
potvor is tempted to become an active agent in
political afiiiirs, and all past experience has
shown on which side that. influenfce‘ will'be ar-
rttycd. \Ve deceive ourselves if we suppose
that it will ever be found asserting and support-
ing the riglits of the community at large, in op-
position to the claims ofthe few. ' '
In a government; whose distinguishing cha-
racteristic should be a diffusion and equalization
ofits benefits and burdens, the advantage ofin-
dividuals will be augmented at the expetjse of the
mass of the people. Nor is it the nature" of
combinations for the acquisition of legislative in-
fluence to confine their interference to the sin-
gle object for which they were originally form-
ed. The’ "t'.etiiptation to extend it to‘ 'pt‘lier
matters, is. on the contrary, not ttnfrequentj
ly too strong to be resisted. "llhe influence, iii
the directiofi of pttblic afi'ait'§ ofthe comrnunitv
at large. ispthercfore, in"iio slight danger Off)’ -
ing sci.--siblyatid injtiriously nfl‘ecte_tl by*gifvitig"to
ti comparatively small. but very efiicient cl:iss.a'
direct and exclusive personal illl£l'('Sl. in so im-
portant a. portion of the legislation of Congress
as that which relates to the custody of'the pub-'
lic moneys. If laws acting ‘upon private in-
terests cannot always be avoidrd, they should
be confined within the narrowest limits, and left‘,
wherever possible, to the L~-gislatures of the‘
States. When not thus restricted, they lead to
combinations of powerful associations, foster tiii
influence neccsstii-ily st-lfisli, and turn the fair-
coursc of legislation to sinister _et'_tl{3, tfather than
to objects that advance public liberty, and pro:
rnote the general good. A " " " ' ' ‘
The whole subject now rests with you. and I
cannot but t-xprcss it hope that _sp_r_ne "definito
rnciisurcs will be adopted at. the present session.
It will not, I am sure, be deemed out of place
for tire here to remark, that the declaration of my
views in ‘opposition to the policy of employing
banks as depositories of the government funds,
cannot justly be construed as indicative of hos-
tility, ofiicial or personal, to those institutions;
or to repeat, in this form, and in connection with
this stibject, opinions which I haye tihifornily en-
trrtained. and on all proper occasions expressed.
Tliotigb always opposed to tlieifcreation in the
form of exclusive privileges. and, as a. state
magistrate. aiming by appropriate legislation to
secure the comuiunity against. fire ponsegpenccs
of tlieirocciisioiial niisirfanugc "eat, I have yel:
‘ever wished to see them protected in the exercise
of rights conferred by lawfiihd have nevet"doubt.-
ed their utility, when properly managed. in pro-
moting the ln_tt't'r‘B_l$ or trade. and through that
channel, the otlitifintcrests of the community.
To the general government. they prurient them-
st-lyes mop;-ly as state institutions, having no
necessat'y'co_rinection with its legislation or it.‘
atlminist ation. Like other state establishments.
they may hr used-or not in conducting the affairs
of the government. its public policy and the
gcne‘_r_a.l interests of the Union may seem to re-
quire. The only safe or ‘proper’ "principles upon
which their iittercoursn with the Government
can be regulated, is that"wh’i,eli regulates their
intercourse the private citizen--the conferring of
mutual benefits. " I ' ' I ' ' '
When the government can accomplish it finan-
cial operation better with the a_id'of"tlié' banks
than without, it. should be at liberty to seek that
aid as it would the services of it private banker.
or other capitalists or agents, giving the pre;
ference to those who will serve it on the best
terms. Nor can there ever e;_rist'an ‘interest. in
the officers of the general gov’erament.'as's’ticli,
irid_uc‘icg them to embarrass 5r annoy the state
banks any more than to incur the hostility of
any other class of state inst:itutions,or of private
citizens. It is not in the llptllrg of things that
hostility to these institutions caii spring from this
source, or any opposition to their course of busi-
ness, except. when they themselves depart from
the object of their c_i-cation and attempt to usurp
powers not conferred t'i'p,'on‘ them. or to subvert ‘the
standard of value established by the constitution.
VVhile opposition to their regular operations
cannot exist inithis qiia'rtér, resistance to any
.ittcmp_t to iiitike the Govertiaiént dependant up-
on thcm for the successful adniinisiration of
public affairs. is it matter of duty, as I trust it
ever will be of inclination, no matter from what
motive or consideratioii the at‘.t’eiiip_t. may origi-
note. i i i i N
It is no more than just to the hanks to Bay.
thiit in the late emergency, nt0st:'0_ them firm-
ly resisted the strongest tcmptatioiis to extend
their papers issues, when apparen_l._ly sustained
in a'susperi_sibn"of specie paymentts ‘by public
opinion, even though in some_cas_es inytted byla-
gislative enactments. To this honorable course.
aided by the resistance of the General Govern-
connected with and made subsidjary to. the ad_- rnent,'a‘ctiitg in obediencetp the constitption any
1 ; - r . * .5‘ , z_‘ t‘. .:.'g"~.-"i.tt xv 5 . i‘ .. _
Norwalk Chronicler