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[2514) [BURNET to CARSON]
Executive Dcpartment Harrisburg 1st April 1836.
Honl Sam P Carson Sec. of State. Sir
After your departure, I drew up something in conformity with the suggestions you made, but when the subject came to be presented fully to my mind, and I had a moment's opportunity to contemplate it, there seemed lo be some difficulties which had not before occurred to me. I will suggest them to you, in that spirit of frankness which has, and I trust ever will characterize our intercourse. I doubt the ability of this Government to invest the power, of appointing a Secretary of Legation in any one individual, even of their own body-that appointment, being one of great and delicate relations, ought to he made in strict conformity with established modes, and in a manner to impose all its proper responsibility. Again, no particular nccessi ty exists for a very hasty appointment. Should a recognition be obtained, one, at least, of the Commissioners would remain until the Government could act deliberately upon the subject. On the subject of procuring vessels I also feel some hesitation. Our fiscal resources are limited and the authority of the present government over those very limited resources, is itself restricted by its own organization. The Commissioners and Agencies, that have already gone forth, have a sufficient range of operation to absorb all the financial powers conferred on us, as a Government, and, indeed, I am apprehensive that we have already transcinded, or put it in the power of others to transcend the limits assigned us in this respect. The procuration, of armed vessels, is much to be desired, but it would be extremely hazardous, if not positively and morally wrong, for us to assume a control over the public funds, to a greater amount than our constituents have, in their wisdom, thought proper to confide to us.
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