July 22 1836 to Sep 23 1836 - PTR, Vol 8

personal prejudices, or the constilulional effecl will be destroyed by a reciprocal interchange of influence and votes. I have brought these poinLs Lo your view, as they have been commented upon by intelligent citizens honorably interested in the cause of the countTy, and because they are questions coming strictly within the letter of my inslruclions. The Government is now administered ad interim, by virtue of an ordinance of the convention of the 17th March, 1836, which followed immediately after the acloplion of the constitution. There is an anachronism as to that paper, which would make il seem lo have been passed before the constitution; but that error arises from the circumstances that the dale on which it was reported has been mistaken for that of its adoption, which followed lhal of the constilu Lion, and on the same day. This ordinance provides Lhat the administration shall have ample powers Lo do whatever was contemplated to be done by the General Congress, excepting judicial acts; and makes the Government to consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary of Stale, Secretary of War, Secretary of the Navy, Secretary of the Treasury, and Attorney General, to be elected by the convention, and to continue until their successors shall be chosen and qualified. The officers lo constitute the Government ad interim were elected immediately by the convention; and, except where vacancies have been filled in the cabinet upon resignations, or appointments to other offices, the administration still continues as it was then created. The legislative part of the Government at this moment may be said to be in abeyance, as no provision is made for that branch of it by the convention previous lo the meeting of Congress; but lhal will soon be in session, and its powers and the mode of its administration are defined by the constitution. The executive department ad interim is administered by a President, as pointed out in the organic law of 17th March, 1836. The President and cabinet form an executive council; and, among other powers, have that lo create a loan not exceeding one million of dollars, and lo pledge the f ailh and credit of the republic and the proceeds of the sale of the public lands, for the re-payment of the same, with interest; lo appoint commissioners to any foreign power; and lo issue writs of election for Senators and Representatives al an earlier clay that lhal fixed by the

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