and harbors which were embraced in
the revenue districts from time to time established by law were
authorized upon the same principle and the expense defrayed in the same
manner. That these expenses have at times been extravagant and
disproportionate is very probable. The circumstances under which they
are incurred are well calculated to lead to such a result unless their
application is subjected to the closest scrutiny. The local advantages
arising from the disbursement of public money too frequently, it is to
be feared, invite appropriations for objects of this character that are
neither necessary nor useful.

The number of light-house keepers is already very large, and the bill
before me proposes to add to it fifty-one more of various descriptions.
From representations upon the subject which are understood to be
entitled to respect I am induced to believe that there has not only been
great improvidence in the past expenditures of the Government upon these
objects, but that the security of navigation has in some instances been
diminished by the multiplication of light-houses and consequent change
of lights upon the coast. It is in this as in other respects our duty to
avoid all unnecessary expense, as well as every increase of patronage
not called for by the public service. But in the discharge of that duty
in this particular it must not be forgotten that in relation to our
foreign commerce the burden and benefit of protecting and accommodating
it necessarily go together, and must do so as long as the public revenue
is drawn from the people through the custom-house. It is indisputable
that whatever gives facility and security to navigation cheapens
imports, and all who consume them are alike interested in whatever
produces this effect. If they consume, they ought, as they now do, to
pay; otherwise they do not pay. The consumer in the most inland State
derives the same advantage from every necessary and prudent expenditure
for the facility and security of our foreign commerce and navigation
that he does who resides in a maritime State. Local expenditures have
not of themselves a corresponding operation.

From a bill making _direct_ appropriations for such objects I should not
have withheld my assent. The one now returned does so in several
particulars, but it also contains appropriations for surveys of a local
character, which I can not approve. It gives me satisfaction to find
that no serious inconvenience has arisen