US Presidency
1846

It is, notwithstanding, certain that such privateers may render good service to the commercial interests of the country by recapturing our merchant ships should any be taken by armed vessels under the Mexican flag, as well as by capturing these vessels themselves. Every means within our power should be rendered available for the protection of our commerce. The annual report of the Secretary of the Treasury will exhibit a detailed statement of the condition of the finances. The imports for the fiscal year ending on the 30th of June last were of the value of $ 121,691,797, of which the amount exported was $ 11,346,623, leaving the amount retained in the country for domestic consumption $ 110,345,174. The value of the exports for the same period was $ 113,488,516, of which $ 102,141,893 consisted of domestic productions and $ 11,346,623 of foreign articles. The receipts into the Treasury for the same year were $ 29,499,247.06, of which there was derived from customs $ 26,712,667.87, from the sales of public lands $ 2,694,452.48, and from incidental and miscellaneous sources $ 92,126.71.