It would be more adviseable to leave this source of revenue untouched in the hands of the state governments, who could apply to it with more facility, with a better understanding of the subject, and with less dissatisfaction to individuals, than could possibly be done by the government of the United States.
There existed no necessity for taking up this burden.

The state creditors had not required it.

There was no petition from them upon the subject.

There was not only no application from the states, but there was reason to believe that they were seriously opposed to the measure.

Many of them would certainly view it with a jealous,--a jaundiced eye.