View source for .MTczOA.MjAzNTA

250
and recommending that "the election of President and Vice-President should in no case whatever be submitted to the decision of the House of Representatives of the United States". A letter from the Governor of the State of Mississippi has been received enclosing a resolution of the general assembly of that State, passed the fifth of February last; likewise one from the Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, enclosing resolutions of the general assembly of that State, passed on the "28th of February 1830" in relation to the "Tariff of 1828", and in addition thereto, one from the Governor of the State of Vermont, enclosing resolution of the general assembly of that State, passed the 29th of October last in relation to "a uniform mode of choosing electors of President and Vice-President throughout the United States" as well as in relation to the "Tariff", which are submitted to the consideration of the Legislature, agreeably to the requests therein contained. 

You Gentlemen, coming as you do from the different portions of the State and from among the concerns of its various interests, will bring with you that information which is necessary to determine on the beneficial or injurious operation of our general laws; and if any apparent defects exist, by an interchange of sentiments and due deliberation, you will be able to decide, whether such defects arise from any intrinsic fault, or deficiency in our general code or in the details of our statutes; or whether they arise from other and incidental causes, which cannot be reached by Legislative aid. Apparent defects in the operation of our laws are frequently to be traced to causes independent of the laws themselves; and sometimes to a want of due attention to the whole body of the law bearing upon the same subject.  It is believed that great caution ought to be exercised in all partial and desultory legislation.  As it is peculiarly your duty, who hold the purse strings of the people, to keep a watchful eye to all expenditures of the public money, so you will never fail to guard them against oppression and extortion in the demand of exorbitant or unlawful fees, by any officer or