The bill under consideration is designed only as a temporary measure; and thus a temporary measure, passed merely for the convenience of Congress, is made to affect the vital principle of an important act.  If the proviso of the act of September, 1841, can be suspended for the whole period of a temporary law, why not for the whole period of a permanent law?  In fact, a doubt may be well entertained, according to strict legal rules, whether the condition, having been thus expressly suspended by this bill and rendered inapplicable to a case where it would otherwise have clearly applied, will not be considered as ever after satisfied and gone.  Without expressing any decided opinion on this point, I see enough in it to justify me in adhering to the law as it stands in preference to subjecting a condition so vitally affecting the peace of the country, and so solemnly enacted at a momentous crisis, and so steadfastly adhered to ever since, and so replete, if adhered to, with good to every interest of the country, to doubtful or captious interpretation.

In discharging the high duties thus imposed on me by the Constitution I repeat to the House my entire willingness to cooperate in all financial measures, constitutional and proper, which in its wisdom it may judge necessary and proper to reestablish the credit of the Government.  I believe that the proceeds of the sales of the public lands being restored to the Treasury—­or, more properly speaking, the proviso of the act of September, 1841, being permitted to remain in full force—­a tariff of duties may easily be adjusted, which, while it will yield a revenue sufficient to maintain the Government in vigor by restoring its credit, will afford ample protection and infuse a new life into all our manufacturing establishments.  The condition of the country calls for such legislation, and it will afford me the most sincere pleasure to cooperate in it.

JOHN TYLER.

WASHINGTON, August 9, 1842.

To the House of Representatives of the United States: 

It is with unfeigned regret that I find myself under the necessity of returning to the House of Representatives with my objections a bill entitled “An act to provide revenue from imports, and to change and modify existing laws imposing duties on imports, and for other purposes.”  Nothing can be more painful to any individual called upon to perform the Chief Executive duties under our limited Constitution than to be constrained to withhold his assent from an important measure adopted by the Legislature.  Yet he would neither fulfill the high purposes of his station nor consult the true interests or the solemn will of the people—­the common constituents of both branches of the Government—­by yielding his well-considered, most deeply fixed, and repeatedly declared opinions on matters of great public concernment to those of a coordinate department without requesting that department seriously to reexamine