403
PAPERS OF :MIRABEAU BUONAPARTE LA::.IAR
ment has been inflicted only when it was obvious that there was no other method of arresting them in their sanguinary career. Holding as I do, that the Executive is properly responsible to ,his constituents for every act of his administration, I cannot be insensible to any charge, however insincere may be its immediate authors, and unjest the charge itself, which may be converted by the artifices of selfish men into a cause for dissatisfaction among the people. There is no one subject within the range of governmental operations on which the people are more justly and wisely zealous than on that of the dis- bursement of the public funds, and as the charge of extravagance has been frequently preferred against my administration, I hope I may be permitted to embrace this opportunity of remarking in vindication of myself, that an intelligent and reflecting people will always discriminate between a i/.Seful and a prodigal expenditure, between an honest and a corrwpt application of the national revenues; and that although the expenses of the government for the last eighteen months have exceeded those of an equal preceding period, it does not necessarily fo1Jow that there has been any wa3te of the public funds, or that every dollar ex- pended has not been met by an adequate return of good to the Country. But you, gentlemen, need not be informed that pecuniary means are a~ necessary to the beneficial operation of a government, as to the success- ful prosecution of individual enterprise. Within the last year and a half, much has been done to ren.der Texas secure at home, and respect- able abroad. Our foreign relations have been beneficially extended; the curtains of our tents have been much enlarged; our settlements have spread out over a wider surface, and our means of defence or assault by either land or sea, have been greatly perfected and increased. The Indians also have been duly chastized, and driven back into deeper wilds. Uuch of what was lately a harrassed and bloodstained frontier, where the tomahawk and scalping knife were bathed in the blood of mothers and infants, is now reposing in prosperity and safety; while adventurous pioneers are still stretching their fields, and planting the standard of Civilization amidst the familiar haunts of these fierce and ferocious beings. But, gentlemen, none of these objects, so essential to the dignity and welfare of the country, are to be achieved without the aid of adequate pecuniary means. Every successful effort towards placing the nation in a state of defence, maintaining its character and credit abroad, chastizing its enemies at home, and extending the lines of its actual jurisdiction, must necessarily be attended with additional costs. The multiplication and enlargement of the civil and military functions' of the government, and every advance of the country in organic improvement and extensiYe dominion, render a proportional increase of expenditures indispensable; and it is only necessary to a just and wise disposition of the public funds, for those who are entrusted with their management, to see that the disbursements are honestly a!ld economically made and that the objects to which they are applied are adapted to the wants of the nation, and best calcuhited to promote the general welfare. If I have failed in either of these particulars, and have weakly permitted the missapplication or basely connived at the embezzlement of the public funds, I should certainly feel myself justly liable to punishment and condemnation; but if the people should be sat- isfied that their taxes ha,·e heen moderate, that they have for eighteen
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