Gazette Of The United States

Extract of a letter from Massachusetts, dated July 13

"With respect to the mode of transmitting messages, bills &c. from either house, I cannot say that it pleases me: Independent of its being improper that the Secretary or Clerk should be absent from their respective stations, they are not members, and this being a necessary step in the progress of a legislative act, it should most certainly be performed by a member or members.

"I observe by the papers that the President of the United States has returned the Impost-Bill to the House after receiving his approbation, by his Secretary. It was expected that this part of Legislation would have been marked with some striking characteristic feature: More particularly would there not be great propriety in the President's going to the Federal Hall; and there, in the presence of both Houses of the Legislature give his assent, publicly, to the bills? It appears to me that this would be proper—would impress upon the public mind an idea of the importance and solemnity of the laws—and hold up the several branches of the Government to the view of the people, in a conspicuous and dignified point of light: It has been supposed that the President's late indisposition prevented the adoption of this plan. Some persons may perhaps object to this, for however astonishing the fact, it seems to be a point with many to prevent the people from thinking too favorably or respectfully of the government, or the administration."