American Annual Register

Cabinet. — Permovals. - Opposition in Senate. — Post Office Department. — Disscntions in the Cabinet. - Controversy between the President and Vice President. - Cause anl Consequence thereof.

On the 4th of March, 1829, in Nor was the aspect of the pothe presence of the Senate, the litical atmosphere less propitious, members of the House of Repre- The administration of his predesentatives and a vast concourse cessor had been arrested by the of people, General Andrew Jack- popular will in the unidst of its son took the oath of office and career, before the merits or deentered upon the administration merits of its policy had been fully of the government of the United tested, and with so decided an Siates.

expression of public feeling A long train of fortunate events against its continuance, as to leave had prepared his way for a happy its members no ability and appaand prosperous career in his new rently little inclination to offer an character as a Civil Magistrate. early opposition to the new EsHis military success at a peculiar ecutive. The community was crisis had given him a strong claim tired of political warfare, and a upon the country, and the energy, general disposition was evinced to decision and self-devotion mani- give the measures of the adminisfested in various trying emergen- tration a fair trial. Some uncercies had obtained for him a large tainty of course existed as to the share of the public confidence. policy which the new President

might feel bound to adopt. His didates offered upon principles of political experience had not been opposition to that construction. great, and the inferences which the All the candidates consequently public had drawn as to his princi- were understood to be in favor of ples from his declarations and that construction. Mr Calhoun votes when in the federal Senate, was an early and ardent advocate had been rendered somewhat un- of that principle, and had efficientcertain by the contradictory asser- ly contributed when in Congress tions made by his supporters in and also while in the Cabinet to different sections of the Union the adoption of the principal and by the decided political char- measures, which had provoked acter of that portion of his adher- the hostility of those who conents, who had been ranked in the tended for a literal construction of previous contest among the friends the constitution. Mr Clay had of the late Secretary of the Trea- long been distinguished as the elosury (Mr Crawford.) That class quent and uncompromising supof public men was regarded as porter of the American System, contending for a strict, or what a system whose characteristic feawas denominated a narrow, con tures were the protection of dostruction of the Federal Constitu- mestic industry and a liberal aption, and their support was given plication of the public treasure to to him upon principles of opposi- purposes of internal improvement. tion to the policy that governed Mr Adams at an early period of the administration of Mr Monroe. bis political life had manifested All the other candidates in that his attachment to the cause of incontest were sustained upon a ternal improvement, and he made contrary principle.

no secret of his opinions concernstruction given to the Federal ing the powers of Congress in all Constitution, by which Congress matters of national concern. was deemed to be empowered to General Jackson had not occupied protect domestic manufactures, to so conspicuous a station in politiappropriate moneys for works of cal life; but while in the United internal improvement, to create States Senate he had been no less a United States Bank, and gene- decided in his opinions on the rally to regulate and control all long disputed question as to the affairs strictly national, had be- constructive powers of Congress. come the settled policy of the During this short term of service country. Strong objections were the following bills providing for still urged to this construction, by internal improvement came under the Representatives from the consideration : 1st. A Bill authorSouthern States, and by some of izing a road from Memphis in Tenthe leading friends of Mr Craw- nessee to Little Rock in Arkansas. ford in other sections of the Union. 2d. A Bill for making certain roads But it had been too long and too in Florida. 3d. A Bill to progenerally acquiesced in to permit cure necessary surveys for roads the hope of a successful appeal to and canals. '4th. A Bill to impublic opinion in behalf of can- prove the navigation of the Mis

The con

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American Annual Register, Том 5