Indiana Republican, Volume 2, Number 56, Madison, Jefferson County, 3 January 1818 — Page 1

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Jl No. 4

: MADISON, (INDIANA)-S ATURD AT JMMir 3,181 8.

Whole NoV 56,

ottrt.ISHED BY

UlN LODGE,

r7R7 SATURDAY

tifjrtiCodoUurs per outturn, within tzc

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ttflm.if paiiuntUMie

M be a vear

irdl be discontinued until

ra-rts are paid.

rusts o e1- . - -

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net rwo-;5 "7"" .. j i.fintx for a dollar:

; proportion, and tf the

,if fiMnw'1 uo't"-.

advertiser, until ordered

Letters to the Editor must

ft paid.

bmENTS MESSAGE

CONCLUDED.

ion tne aava.uiiii3 uwiuvi

,c purchases, and to those hive nreceded, the securi-

ich miy thereby be afford-

bur inland frontiers is pc-

nmportant. With a strong

kconsisung of our own

thus planted on the Jakes, kissiooi and the Mobile,

he protection to be derived the regular force, Indian

ties, if they do not alto-

ccasc, will henceforth lose

terror, tortmcations m

uarters. to any extent, will

necessary, and the expense

rag them may DC savea. j

accustomed to the use ot

ms omv. as the jnaian

are, will shun even mode-

Svcrks, which arc defended nnon. Great fortifications

therefore, be requisite only,

jure along the coast, ana at points in the interior, con

Jl with it. . On these will the

of our towns, and the

tercc of our creat rivers.

the h?v rf Vru v to the

)ippi, depend. On these,

fore, should the utmost atskill, and labor, be bed. considerable and rapid augvion in the value of all the : lands, proceeding from and other obvious causes, henceforward be expected, difficulties attending early eitions, will be dissipated even ; roost remote parts. Severlv states have been admitted

ur union, to the west and

j and territorial governhappily organized, estab- ' ov?r evcrv other oortion

"li there is vacant land for fa terminating Indian hos-

p s must soon be done, in

f wiaable shape at least, the

ration, which has heretofore

been great will probably increase, and the demand for land, and the augmentation in its value,2 be in ;)ike proportion.. The great .in- : crease or our population through -out the union will alone Jprbduce an important effect, and in no quarter will it be so 'sensibly felt as in those in contemplation. The f public - lands are a 'public stock, which ought to be disposed of to the best advantage for the nation. The nation should, therefore, derive the profit proceeding from the continual rise in J their value. 'Every encouragement' should be given to emigrants, consistent with a fair ; competition' between them, but that competition should operate in the first sale to the advantage of the nation rather than of individuals. Great capitalists will derive all the benefit incident to their superior wealth, under any mode of sale which may be adopted But if, looking forward to the rise in 'the value of the public lands, thev should have the opportunity of amassing, at a low price, vast bodies in their hands, the profit will accrue to them, and not to the1 public. They would aJso have the power in that degree, to control the emigration and set-, tlement in such a manner as their opinion of their respective interests might dictate. I submit this subject to the consideration of congress, that such further provision may be nude in the safe of the public' lands, with a view to the public interest, should any be deemed expedient, as in their judgment may be best adapted to . the object. When wre consider the vast extent of territory within the United States, the great amount and value of its productions, the con. nexion of its parts, and other circumstances, on which their prosperity and happiness depend, we cannot fail to entertain a high sense of the advantages to be derived from the facility which may be afforded in the intercourse be tween them, by means of good roads and canals. Never did a country of such vast extent offer equal inducements to improvements of this kind, nor ever were consequences of such magnitude involved in them. As this subject was acted on by congress at the last session, and there may be a disposition to rivive it at the present, I have brought it into view, for the purpose of communicating my sentiments on a very important circumstance connected with it, with that freedom and candor which a regard for the public interest, and proper respect for congress, lequire. A difference of opinion has existed, from the first formation of -our constitution to the present time, among our most enlightened and virtuous citizens, respecting the

tight of congress'to establish such "a system of improvement. 1 Taking into view the trust with which I am now honored j it would be improper,1 after what has passed, that this discussion should be revived, with an uncertainty of my opinion respecting the rights Disregarding early impressions, I have bestowed on the subject ail ;the deliberation which" its great importance, and a ; just sense of my duty, required and the result is a settled conviction in my knind, that congress do not possess the right. ' It is not contain ,cd in any of the specified power granted -to congress; nor can 1 consider it incidental to, or a necessary mean, viewed on the most liberal scale, for carrying into effect any of the powers which are specifically granted, hi communicating this result, 1 cannotjesist the obligation which I feel to suggest to congress the propriety ol recommending to the states the adoption of an mendmcnt to the constitution, which shall give to congress the right in xjuestion. In cases of doubtful construction,- especially of such vital interest, it comports with the nature and origin of our institutions, and will contribute much to preserve them, to apply to our constituents for an explicit grant of the power. We may confidently rely, that if it appears to their satisfaction, that the power is necessary, it will always be granted. In this case I am happy to observe, that experience has afforded the most ample proof of its utility, and that the benign' spirit of conciliation and harmony, which now manifests itself throughout our union, promises to such a recommendation the most prompt and favorable result. I think proper to suggest Iho; in case this measure is adopted, that it be recommended to the states to include, in the amendment sought, a right in congress to institute, likewise, seminaries - of learning, for the all-important purpose of diffusing knowledge among ' our fellow citizens throughout the United States. Our manufactories will require the continued attention of congress. The capital employed in them is considerable, and the knowledge acquired in the machinery and fabric of all the most useful manufactures, is of great value. Their preservation, which depends on due encouragement, is connected with the high intercsts of the nation. Although the progress of the public buildings ha3 been as favorable as circumstances have permitted, it is to be rcgretred that the capitol is not yet in a state to receive you. There is good cause to presume, that the two wings, the only parts as yet commenced, will be prepared for that perpgsc

at the next session. The time seems now ' to have ar rived, when this subject may be deemed worthy the attention of congress, on a scale adequate to national purposes. The comple tion of the middle building will be necessary to the convenient accsmmodaiion of congress, of the committees, and various offices belonging to it. It is evident that the other public buildings are altogether insufficient for the a commodation of the several executive departments, sume of whom are much crowded, and ; even , subjected to the necessity, of obtaining it in private buildings, at some .distance from the heact of the department,' and with inconvenience to the : management of the public business. Most nations have taken ao interest and a pride in the improvement and ornament of their metropolis, ancK none were more conspicuous in that respect than the ancient republics. -The policy Vhich dictarj d the, establishment of a permicent residence for the national government, and the spirit in which' it was commenced and has been prosecuted show, that such improvement was thought worthy the attention of this nation. Its central position, between the northern and southern extremes, of our union, and its approach to the Vest, at the head of a great navigable river which interlocks with the western waters, prove the wisdom of 'the'councils which established it. Nothing appears to be more reasonable and proper, than that convenient accommodation should be provided, on a well digested plan, for the heads of the several department and for the attorney general ; and it is believed that the public ground in the city, applied to these objects will be found amply sufficient. I submit this subject to the consideration of congress that such further provision may be made in it, as to them may seem proper. In contemplating the happy situation of the United States; our attention is drawn, with peculiar interest, to the surviving officers and soldiers of our revolutionary army, who so eminently contributed, by their services, to lay its foundation. Most of those veryrrieritoriouscitizenshave paid the debt of nature and gone to repose. It is believed that among the survivors, there are sonic not provided far by existing laws, who are reduced to indigence, and even' to real distress. These men have a claim on the gratitude of their country, and it will dd honor to their country to provide for them. The lapse of a few years more and the opportunity will be forever lost: indeed, so lon already has been the interval, that the number to bo benefitted

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