Huntingdon Journal

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HUIVTII^fGDO^ JOUBI\[AL..
"ONE   CODNTIIV,    ONE   CONSTITUTION,    ONE    DESTINY."
A.   W.   BENEDICT   PUBL^^flClR   AND~PROPRlETOR.
Whole No. 1G6.J
TERMS
OF   TUE
HUNTINGDON, PENNSYLVANIA, WEDNESDAY   DECEMBER    19,   1838.
[Voi-IV, No. 10.
been penetrated—yet. instead of rudeness      Here then follows an exposition of the commerce, manufacturers; to public mor- in the social  condition consequent upon  fiscal affairs of the country, and a short  a**, respect for the laws, and  that conti-
-..„i,  „.i.,.„*.,..„.,  .„i„...,i,„r„    ..nniornna  .. . ...,_. i..-*.(- f Ul. c„K dencc bct wecH iDau aud Hiau which Is SO
essential in all our social relations.
Wk'ix. months, two dollars and a half. ft Evety person who obtains five subscribers Knd forwurds price ol sabscription, shall bc If irnished with a sixth copy gratuitiously for ,1one year.
No'siibscriptionreceived tor a less period f! i;,an six months, nor any paperdisconlinued Jl'utilan-earages are paid.
All CDiiKnuhications must be nddressed to -Hhe Editor, post paid, or they will not be •iiilended to.
'Advei'tisments not exceeding one square tmll be inserted three times for one dollar for every subsequent insertion. 25 ficenls per •quare will be charged:—If nodetnileorderd '•rc given as to the time an adverisment is to «e continued, it will be kept in tillordeed; toei, and charge accordingly.
The contrast between the suspension of 814 and that of 18.17 is   most striking,
......... .,..^.. ^,„.,....,.. ....... ..   .„,_.    — , _ _he  short duration  of the   latter;   the
nal Improvement, the fruit of individual the past year, will be made to you by the prompt  restoration of business^ the evi
enterprise,  fostered j|by the protection of Secretary of the Treasury. dent beneht? resulting from an adhcrenci
the States, has added new links to the      The available balance in the Treasury '      '     ~
confederation, and tresh rewards to prov-  „„ the 1st of January next is estimated at
ident industry.    UoubttuI questions ol do  ga,765,342.    The  receipts ot fhe year,
policyl have been quietly settled by mulu-  fr„m customs and landk. will  probably
al   forbearanco   and   agriculture,  com- amount to   820,615,593.     These usual
sources of revenue have been increased by the issue of Preasury notes—of which less than eight millions of dollars, inclu¬ ding interest and principle, wil! iie (W*-
MESSAGE.
FboX  the President of the United A't.iTes, to the two Houses op Con-
ttHBhS,     AT  THB      COXMENCEMEKT     OF THB  TWENTY   FIFTH  CoBGRES5.
FELLOVV CITIZENS of the Senate
AND House of REPHESENrATivES; I congratulate you on the favorable cir
merce, and manufactures, minister to each other, laxation and public debt, the burdens which bear so heavily upon all other countries, have pressed with com parafive lie;lituess upon ua.—'Without one entangling alliance, uur friendship is priz¬ ed by every nation; and the rights ofour citizens are known to be guarded by uni¬ ted, sensitive, and watchful people.
To this practicil' operation ef our in¬ stitutions, 80 evident and successtul. we owe that increased attachment to them which is among the most cheerful exhi¬ bitions of popular sentiment, and will prove fhe best security, in time to come, ngainst foreign or domestic assaults.
This   review of   the results    of  our I institutions, for halt  a century, without exciting a spirit of vain exultation, should serve to impress upon us the great prin
standing at the end of the year-—and _, . the sale ol one el the binds of the Bank of the United States, for 82,264.871. The aggregate of means from these and other sources, with thc b.ilance on hand on the first of January last, has been ap¬ plied to thc pavment of appropriations by Congress. I'he whole expenditure for the year on their account including the redemption of more than eight millions of
erence by the Govcrsment t'o the constitutional standard of value, instead of sanctioning the suspension ofthe receipt of irredee mable paper; and the advantages derived from the iarge ainount of specie introdu¬ ced into the country previnus to 1837. afford a valuable illustration of the true policy ofthe government, in such a crisis, nor can the comparison fail to remove the iinpressioti t'lat a lational bank is neces¬ sary in sue!; ¥mer;i;encie9 ^"t^^ ""1" were its
disbursement of the public moncjs thanltlicir occasional mismanagement, I ) ^ .p any that has heretofore existed- i yet ever wished fo see them proteclpd i„
It seems proper, atall events, that, by the exercise of rights conferred i,y la,^ «n early enactment, similar to that of oth- a"^l have never doubted fhcir tliility, er countries, the application of public ^"hen properly managed, in promoting money by an officer of Government to the interest of trade and, throujjh thnt private uses, should be madea felony, nnd channel, the other infereets of fhe com- visited with severe and ignominious pnn- munity. To the General Governmeni: ishment- This is already, in effect, the they present themselv. s merely as Stafa law in respect fo the m'nt, and has been '-''¦' productive of the most  salutary  results
Not  only
Whatever system is adoptcdj such on enactment wonld Le wise as an indepen¬ dent measure, since much of the public moneys must, in their collection [and ul¬ timate disbursement, pass twice through the hands of public officers, in whatever manner they a'-e intermediately kept. — The Government, it must be admitted, has been from its commencement cent¬
re specie payments resuiP.fd   witllC'.'* j paratively fortunate in this respect.    But
aid, but exchanges  have also  beer,   the apiiOJntina power cannot always be
" ¦     '      - -.!.'.o,l ;.. w= .„•.-•tinns.^nd^hPPv-
nsfitutions having no necosary Conner tion with its legislation or its atlnfinistra- tion. Like other State establishments, they maybe used ornot in conducting fhe affairs ol the Oovernment, as public policy and general intercs.t ofthe 'Un on may seem to require, the only safe in^ proper principle upon which their intcr- couise with the govef-nment can be regulated, is Ihat which regulates tfieir iiitercoiii-se withilhe private citi/.on—the conferi-ing of mutual benefits. AVhcn the Government can accomplish a'financial operation better with the aid ofthe banks
eumstances in the condition ofour coun-i   . ,     ^        -.¦ .  ..-     .
*¦" ¦   ¦     jjj^   ciples from which they have sprung; con
Treasury notes, constitutes an aggregate W^e have been saved the mortification of
of about   tbrty-miUions of dollars,  and seeing the distresses of the  community,
will still leave in the Treasury the bal- lorthe  third time, sei/ed on  to fasten
ance before stated. upon the country so dangerous an insti-
Nearly  eight   millions of   dollars of tution; aiid we may also hope thatfhe bu-
Treasury notes are paid during thc com- siness of individuals will hereafter be re-
ing year, in addition to the ordinary ap- lieved Irom the injurious effects ofa con-
r . XL L ..r r.  tinned agitation of that disturbing sub-
views heretofore submitted to Congress,   to the interests committed to its care as to «''!!  serve it on the best terms. Nor can
— ¦ -   • •- '  the officers themselvesj to provide  every there ever exist an interest in thc officers
guard against transgressions ot this char- "*" the General Government, as such, in
acter that is consistent  with   reason and ducing them fo  cmbarrss or annoy thc
humanity.    Congress  cannot be to jeal- State banks, any morejthan to incurllve
ous of tfie conduct of fhose who are en- hostility ot any other class of State insti
trusted with the public money; and I shall at all times be dispoaed to encourage a watchful  discharge  of  this  duty.    If
tiful return; induslry prospers in its va- xious channels of busincss and enterprise; general health again prevails through our vast diversity ofclimatc; nothing tlireat-
E ens. from abroad, the continuance of ex¬ ternal peace; nor has any thing at home impaired the strength ol thuse fraternal and domestic ties which constitute the only guarantee to the success and per-
L tnanency of our happy Union, and vvliich formed in the hour olperil, have hitherto been honorably sustained through every vicisitude of our national affairs. These blessings, which evince the care aud ben¬ eficence of Providence, call for our de¬ vout and fervant gratitude.
We have not less to be grateful for other bounties bestowed by the same mu¬ nificent hand, and more exclusively our «wo.
The present year closes the first half century ot our Federal institutions, and our system—differing from all others in the acknowledged, practical, and unbm- ited operation  which it has for so long a
I   period given to the sovereignity of the '   people—has now been fully tested by ex¬ perience.
The Jconstitution devised by our lore- fathers as the framework and bond of that tiystem then, untried, has become a set¬ tled form ot Government not only pre- servingjand protecting the great principles upon which it was foundeil but wonder¬ fully promoting individual happiness and private interests.—Though subject to change and entire revocation, whenever deemed inadequate to all those purposes, yet such is tnc wisdom of ita construction •nd so stable has been the public senti¬ ment, that it remains unaltered, except in matters ofdetail, comparatively unini- portaot. It has proved ample sufficient j'or the various emergencies incident to oar condition as a nation. A forminable foreign war; agitating collitions be¬ tween domestic and, in some respect, rival soverigntics; tcmptalions to inter¬ fere in the intestine commotions of neigh¬ boring countries, thedangeious influence that arise in periods ot excessive prosper¬ ity; and the anti-republican tendencies of associated wealth: these, with other trials Dot less formidable, have all been en¬ countered, and thus far successtully re¬ sisted.
It was reserved Irom the American Union to test the advantages of a Govern¬ ment eiitirely dependent on the contin¬ ual exercise of the popular will; and our experience has shown that,it is as benef¬ icent in practice as it is just in theory. Each successive change made in our local institutions has contributed to extend tho right of suffrage, has increased the di¬ rect influence of the mass ofthe commu- tlity, given greater freedom to indiviilual exertion, and restricted more and more, the powers of Government; yet the intel¬ ligence, prudence, and patriotism ofthe peeple have kept pace with this augmen¬ ted responsibility. In no country has education been so widely diffused. Do¬ mestic peace has nowhere so largely rcign ed.—'rho close bonds of social intercourse have in no instance prevailed wifh such harmony ovcr a space so vast. All forms of religion have united, for the first time, to diffuse chawty an.l piely. because, for the first time iu the history of nation.i, all have been totally untrammelled, and ab- Boluteh free.   The dcepes* recesses liave
perly belong and are best   left   to Stat'e regulations and individual  enterprise.
Full information of the state of our for¬ eign affairs having been recently, on two diffeient occasions.tsubmitted to Congiess I deem it necessary now to bring to your notice only such events as have subse¬ quently occurred, or are ot such impor¬ tance as tu require parlicuiar attention.
Thc most amicable dispositions contin¬ ue to bc exhibited by all the nations with whom thc Government and citizens of the United States have any habitual intercourse. At the date of my last an- I'ual mess ge, Mexico was the only na¬ tion which could not be included in so gratifying a reference to our foreign re¬ lations.
I am happy to be now able to info rm you that an advance has been made to¬ wards the adjustment of our difficuies wilh that republic, and the restoration of the customary good feeling between the two nations. 'Fhis important charge has been effected by conciliatory negotiations that have resulted in thc conclusoion ut a treaty between the two Goverinents, which, when ratified, will refer to the ar- I bitrament of a friendly power all the subjects of controversy between us grow¬ ing out of injuries to individuals. 'I'here is, at present, also, reason to believe that an equitable settlement tiir all ^dis- puted points vvill be attained i* ithout tur¬ ther difficulty or unnecessary delay, and thus authorize the free rcsuniption of di¬ plomatic intercourse with our sister Re¬ public.
¦With respect to the north eastern boun dary of tbe U. States, no official carres- pondence between this Government and that of Great Britain has passed since that communicated to Congress towaids the close ot their last session. Thc offer to negotiate a convention lor the appoint
ment ot a joint commission of survey and I the honorable applicatmn of all exploration. I am, however, assured will  means to tbe fulfilment of ol be met  by her majesty's Government in[ a conciliatory and friendly spirit, and in¬ structions to enable the British Minister her to conclude such an arrangement will be   transmitted to him   wifhout needless delay.    It is hoped and expected it willbe ofa liberal character, and that, this nego¬ tiation, successful,   will   prove to be an important step towards the satisfactory and final adjustment uf the controversy.
Here then follows a reiteration of his views, as respects the war in Canada, as given in his proclamation,—with some farther remarks, as to the interferance of our citizens.
Russia, he says, has declined a renewal of the articles of convention, giving our vesssl. privileges upon certain coast, the reason assigned is, that our traders sup. ply the Indians vvith spirilous liquors & firearms to the injury of that nation.
The President regrets, the continuation of the Blockade on tho Afexican coast-~ The convention for making the boundary line between Texas and the United States was concluded, and ratified—The appli¬ cation of Texas for admission into the Union is withdrawn.
nor caa the postponed instalment of the surplus revenue be deposited with the States, nor any considerablo appropria¬ tions beyond the estimates be made, with¬ out causing a tleficiency in the Treasury. The great caution, advisable at all times, of limiting appropriations tothe wants of the public, is rendered necessary at pre¬ sent by the prospective and reduction ot the tariff; while the vigilant jealously, ev¬ idently excited aniong Ihe people by the occurrences of the last fewyears, assures us that they expect from their representa¬ tives, and will sustain them in die exer¬ cise ofthe most rigid economy. Muth can be effected by postponing appropria- tions not iinmediately rcqui:'et« for the ordinary public service, or for any pres¬ sing emergency; and much by reducing the expenditures where the entire aiid immediate accomplishment of the objects in view is not indispensable.
VVhen we call to mind the recent and extreme embarrassments produced by ex¬ cessive issues cf bank paper, aggravated by the unforeseen withdrawal of much foreign capital, and the ineyitable de¬ rangement arising trom the distribution ofthe surplus revenue ainong the States as required by Congress; and consider the heavy expenses incurred by the remo¬ val ofthe Indian tribes; by the military operations in Florida; and on account uf the unusually laige appropriations made at the laat two annual sessions of Con¬ gress for other objects, we have striking evidence, in the present efficient state of our finances, of the abundant resources ofthe country to fulfil its obligations. Nor is it less gratifying to find that thc general business ol the community, deep¬ ly affected as it has been, is reviving wifh additional vigor, chastened by the lessons of the past, and animated by the hopes uf the luture. By the curtailment of paper issues, by curbing the sanguine and ad¬ venturous spirit ot speculation; and by ¦'    ' " '¦ " II available
obligations, confidence hasbeen restored both at hume and abroad, and ease and facility secured to all the operations ot trade.
The agency >f the Government in pro¬ ducing these results has been as eflicient as its powers and means permitted. By witholdingfrom the States the deposite of the fourth instalment, and leaving sever¬ al millions at long credits with tlie banks, principally in one section ofthe country and more immediately beneficial fo it; and, at the same time, aiding the banks and commercial communities in other sections, by postponing the payment of bonds for duties to the amount ol between four or five millions of dollars; byan iss sue of Treasury notes as a means to ena¬ bla the Government to meet the conse¬ quences of their indulgences; but afford¬ ing at the samu time, lacilities for remit¬ tance and exchange; aud by steadily de¬ clining to employ as general depositories ol thc public revenues, or receive the notes ol all Banks which refused to re- deem them with specie: by these meas¬ ures, aided by the favorable action of some of the banks, and by the support and CO operation of a large portion of the community, vve have witnessed an early resumption of specie pajiments in our great commercial capital, promptly fol¬ lowed in almost every part ofthe United States.' This result has been alike salu¬ tary to the true  interests of agriculture,
crease the inordinate speculation by sud¬ den expansions and contractions, ita dis¬ position to create panic and embarrass¬ ment for the promotion of its own designs, its interference with politics, and its fat- greater power for evil than for good, ei- ther in regard to the local institutions or fhe operations of Government itself. What was, in these respects, but appie- 1 hension or opinion when a national bank was first established, now stands confir¬ med by humiliating experience. Thd scenes through which we hare passed, conclusively prove how little our com¬ merce, agriculture, manufacturers or fi¬ nances require such an institution, and what dangers are attendant on its power; a pow,;r, I trust, never fo be conferred by American people upon their Governv ment, and still less upon individuals not responsible to them for itt unavoidable abuses,
My conviction of the necessity of fur¬ ther legislative provisions for thc safekee¬ ping and disbursement of the public mo¬ neys, and my opinion in icgard to thc measures best adapted to the accomplish¬ ment ot those objects, have been already submitted to you. These have been strengthened by recent events, and, in the fall conviction that time and experience must still further demonstrate their pro¬ priety, I feel it my duty, wifh respectful deference to the conflicting views ot oth¬ ers, again to invite yonr attention to them. Wilh fhe exception of limited sums de¬ posited in the few banks still emploved under the act of 1838, fhe amounts're- ceived tor duties, and, with very incon¬ siderable exceptions, those accruin-^ from lands also, have since the general suspen¬ sion of specie payments bythe deposite banks, been kept and disbursed by the Treasurer, under his gcneral'legal powers
me pleasure to assist in tbe establishment of any judicious and constitulional plan by which that object may be accomplish ed.    You will,  in your wisdom,  tlete
tutions, or of private citizens . It is nii't in the nature of things that hostility W thosc institutions can spring fronf this source, or any opposition iff Ihei.' conrsft of busincss, except wht n they tliemselye* depart from the objectstif their creifioiiv and attemptto usurp ponvers not confer¬ red upon them, or to subvert the standard of value established by the Constitution. VVhile opposition fo their regular opera¬ tions cannot exist in this quarter, resir. tance to any attcmpt'to make 'the Govern-
mine upon the propriety of adopting such '««"* depend upon them for thc succcss- a plan, and upon the measure necessary .f"' "administration of nublic affairs, is a to its effectual execution.    When the late « a matter of duty, as I trust it will ever
Bink of United States was incorporated, | and made the depc sitory of the public monoy, a right was reserved to Congress to inspect, at its pleasure, by a commit¬ tee of that body, the books and the pio¬ ceedings of the bank.
In one of thc States whose banking in¬ stitutions are supposed to rank among fhe first in point ot stability, there arc subjected to^constant examination by com¬ missioners appointed forihat pnrpose, and much of the success of its banking sys¬ tem i* attributed to this watchful surper- vision. The same course has also, in view, of its beneficial operation, been ad¬ opted by an adjoining State, favorably known for the care it has always bestow¬ ed upon whatever relates to ifs financial concerns. I submit to your consideratien whether a commitlee of Congress might not be profitably employed in inspecting, at such intervals as 'might be deemed proper, thc allairs and accounts of offitcrs entrusted wifh the custody of the public money. Thc frequent performance ot fhis duty might be made obligatory on the committee in respect to those officers who have large sums in their possession, and left discretionary in respect to others. They might report to the Executive such defalcations as were found to exist, vvith a view to a prompt removal form otfice un¬ less the default vvas satisfactorily accoun¬ ted for; and report, also, to Congress, at the commencement ot each session, the result of their examintions, and procee¬ dings.    It does appear to me that, with a
subject to lhe superintendance of the tsubjection of this class of public officers Secretary of the Ireasury. T.he proprie- to thc general supervision of the Execu- ty ot uenning more specifically, and of tive, to examinations b> a committee of regulating by law, fhe exercise of this Coiigrcsatperimls of which fhcy should wide scope of Executive discretion, has |have no previous notice, and to piosecu-
been already submitted to Congress.
A change in thc office of collector at oi>e of eur principal ports, has brought to light a defalcation ol^ the gravest charac¬ ter, the particulars of which will be laid before you in a special report from fhe Secretary of fhe I'reasurv. By this re¬ port and the accompanying documents. It will be seen that the weekly returns of lhe defaulting officer apparently exhibi¬ ted, throughout, a faithlul administration of fhe affairs entrusted to his management. It, however, now appears that he com¬ menced abstracting the public moneys shortly after hisappoinfmei.t, and contin¬ ued to do so, progressively increasing the amount, for the term of more fhan seven years, embracing a portion of the period during which the public moneys were de¬ posited in the Bank of the United States, the whole of that of the state bank depos' ite systeni, and concluding only on his retiiement from office, after that system had substantially failed, in consequence of the suspension ot specie payments.
The way in which the defalcation was HO long concealed, and the steps taken to indemnify the United A";atcs, as far as practicable, against loss, vvill also be pre¬ sented to you. The case is one which imperatively tlaims the attention ol Con¬ gress, and furnishes ihc strongest motives ol the establishment ofa more severe and secure system tor   the safekeeping and
tion and punishment as for felony for ev¬ ery breach of trust, fhe safekeeping ofthe public money, under fhe syston. proposed, might be placed on a surer found.ition than it has ever occupied since the estab¬ lishment of the Government.
The Secretary of the Treasury, he says will give further information on the subject. Then follows some of the old twaddle about "imprudent expansions of the bank credit"—"money power," &c &c., andhe finally winds up, by hciding out his hand to tlie State B.inks, in the following friendly tone. He certainly must have forgotten his promise to "tread in thejootsteps," of the "old monster kil¬ ler."
It will not. I am sure, be deemed out of place lor me hereto remark, fhat the doclaration of my views in opposition to the poiiey of employing banks ns depos¬ itories of the Government funds, cannot justly be const'-ued as indicative ot hos¬ tility, official or personal, to those iusti- tutions, or to repeat in this form, and in connection with this subject, opinions which I have formerly entertained, and on all proper occasions expressed. Though always opposed to their creation in flic form ot exclusive privileges, and as a State magistrate aiming by appropriate legislation toseeure the consequences ot
be of inclination, no matter from what mo tive or consideration the attempt may or-' iginafe.
It is no more than just fo fhe bants to s,iy, thatfhe late emergency, most of fhem firmly resisted tho strongest temptation to extend their paper issues, when apparejit- ly sustained in suspension ofspecie pay¬ ments by public opinion, eyen  though "in some cases inviled by legislative enact- mcnts.    To this honorable course, aided by the resistance of the General Gotern- nicnt,  actin" in obedience tothe Consti¬ tution  and laws of the U, Slates, to lhe introduction ofan irredeemable paper me dinm,  m.iy be attributed,  in a gre.it de¬ gree, thc speedy icsforation of our cur¬ rency  to a sound state, and the business of the country to its wanted prosperity The banks h.ive but to continue in thc same 'safe course, and bc content ifi their' appropriate .sphere, to avoid al? interfe¬ rence t^rom the General Government, acd to tlerive from it nil the   protection aiid benefits whicii it bestows on other State esfablisliinonts,   on   the   people  of  the States, and on thc States themselves.   In this, ttipir true position, they cannot but sccuie the confidence and   good %vill el fhe people and  G ivernment vvhich they can  only lose when leaping from their legitimate  sphere, they attempt to con¬ trol the legislation of the country, and pel-vert the operations of the Government to their oWn purposes.'
The following paragraphs are of nci great interest, or importance—The pre¬ emption law; tobacco trade with foreign Countries; the necessity, for tfie passage ot a lavv to take the next census; and thi importance of some organization of the militia on our maratine, and inland fron¬ tiers, make up fhe whole. Then follow* an excuse for thousand depretlations. winch have been made upon the poor "red men." One would suppose thai th Indians were under great obligations'fo the "great medicine" of the pale faces, for humanely providing them vvitii '-hap¬ py hunting grounds," this side the gravo "Lo! the poor Inditfn."
Italtiirds me sincere pleasure to be able fo apprise you of the entire removal of the Cherokee nation of Indians to their new homes west of the Mississippi. Thc measures aiithorized by Congress at its last session, with a view to the long standing controverscy with them, have had thc happiest ePf^cts. By an agree¬ ment concluded with  iiemby the com¬
manding general in that country, who has performed the duties assigned to him on the occasion with commendable energy and humanity, their removal has been principally under the conduct of their own cliiels, and thev have emigrated witit out any apparent reluctance.
The successful accomplishment of this im|iortant object; the removal also, of the entire Creek nation, wiih tiie cxceplmnof a small nuinber of fugitives amongst lhe Seminoles in Floridaj the progress sircad-