US Presidency
1884

It is hoped that during the coming session the measure may become a law, and that thereafter immediate steps may be taken to secure a place of safe deposit for these valuable collections, now in a state of insecurity. The funds with which the works for the improvement of rivers and harbors were prosecuted during the past year were derived from the appropriations of the act of August 2, 1882, together with such few balances as were on hand from previous appropriations. The balance in the Treasury subject to requisition July 1, 1883, was $ 10,021,649.55. The amount appropriated during the fiscal year 1884 was $ 1,319,634.62 and the amount drawn from the Treasury during the fiscal year was $ 8,228,703.54, leaving a balance of $ 3,112,580.63 in the Treasury subject to requisition July 1, 1884. The Secretary of War submits the report of the Chief of Engineers as to the practicability of protecting our important cities on the seaboard by fortifications and other defenses able to repel modern methods of attack.