Westward extension, 1841-1850, by George Pierce Garrison.

I82

WESTWARD EXTENSION

June, I842. Early in that month two bills were introduced in the lower House, one for a permanent,
and the other for a provisional tariff. The latter
was intended apparently to meet the view held by
many that no duties at all could be collected under
the compromise tariff of i833 unless authorized by
a new law. It provided for the postponement until August i of the final reduction under the act of
i833, which was to take place July i; and also fixed
the same date for distribution, in spite of the fact
that many duties would still be above the twenty
per cent. level.' This process was nominally intended to give time for the passage of a permanent tariff
bill. The delay, however, seems to have been a
part of the political game. It was creating a difficult situation for the president, but it was also
throwing a heavy responsibility on the Whigs.2
The bill was passed June 25, 1842; and four days
later Tyler returned it with his veto, on the ground
that it cut off a source of revenue then sorely needed, and that it contravened both the compromise
and the distribution acts.3 He had, in fact, recommended in his message of March 25, in pursuance
of a suggestion made by Secretary Forward, of the
treasury, in a report accompanying the message
of March 8, that the proceeds of the public lands
be pledged to secure a loan which was considered
1 Niles' Register, LXII., 282, 285.
2 Von Holst, United States, II., 452-455; Tyler, Tylers, II., i66.
3 Richardson, Messages and Papers, IV., I80-i83.