The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-05-11 00:00:00

COLOMBIA.

The aueta de Colombia, dated Bogota, the 26th Fe-
bruary, was received yesterday. The publication of the
statement of the finances presented to Congress, which ap-
peared in the Constitutional of a preceding date, has pro-
duced the following observations in the &teeter, which,
being the official paper, are considered as having, more or
less, the sanction of Government :
%lien we are anxiously expecting the remainder of the Message
of the Secretary of Finance, the publication of which commenced
in the last number of the above: paper, we were surprised on seeing
it interrupted, from eircumstancta which are indistinctly stated,
and which we could bare wished had been clearly explained,
among other reasons, in order that no one might venture to euppose
that the Executive had the least share in the stoppage of its publics-
But our asternishmtni, and that of every Colombian, a
lover of his country, would not have been so great, if, instead
the above Message, they had not published the statement of the
receipts of the National Treasury, and the estimates of the future
expenditure, without an explanation of any kind. These docu-
ments, presented by themselves, are by no means favourable to the
Republic; so far from it, indeed, that it is to be feared they may
produce a disagreeable sensation in Europe. To do away with this
as much as passible, and explain the real state of things, we have
thought the folloking observations might be serviceable to C0..1
lornbia, to Which we take the liberty of calling the attention of the
public of Eiseope.
The amount of the estimates of expenditure foe the praisnt reek
1826, in all the departments of Administration, is 15,487,719 dol.
lars 34 rs. which, compared with the average amount of our re-
venue, whicti is 6,1%.725 dollars 3 rt. leaves an annual deficit of
9,290.994 dollies 04 r. These figures are certainly much against
the Republic; but it is necessary to take into consideration that
the estimates are calculated for a period of active warfare, and on
the suppasitidn that all the branches of the Administration be
placed on the most complete footing of organization.
'the actual expenses during the year 1826 *ill not require
15.000,000 of dollars, as we shall presently show, by a reference to
the ctimates, and by observations which have been -kindly made to
us by one of the Members of the Committee of Finance of the
Chamber of Representatives.
DEPARTMENT or FOREIGN ATE/MlL—This estimate
amounts to 203.762 dollars 74 ra. and has been calculated on the
supposition that all the Legations in Europe and America, Con-
sulates, be established. But as, at this moment, there are only two
Legations in Europe, and almost all those in America are served
by Charges d'Affaires, whose salaries are much less than those of
Ministers, we conceive that the above sum may be reduced one-half
In a case of necessity or urgency, and, consequently, an expense
saved of 142,331 dollars 4 r.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.—This estimate amounts
to 621,431 dollars, 1 r. but from it is to be deducted what is not
paid to those Members of Congress for their travelling expenses,
when they are residents in thiscity, which many of them are--the
sums not paid to those Members of Congress. who fill any other
civil, military, or ecclesiastical situation in the Republic—the ex-
pense* of the Comte of Justice of the Orinoco, Zyulie, Apure,
Magdalena, Cauca, and Guayaquil, and the pay of those military
men, who occupy the posts of Intendants or Oovernors of Provin-
ces. We cannot exactly state the amount these several items pro-
duce, but it cannot be under 100,000 dollars.
WAR DEPARTMENT.—The estimate amounts to 6,803,2%
dollars 1 r. and the deductions to lie made, as specified by the Se-
cretary of this Department, are the following I—From the extraor-
dinary expenses, a million of dollars as there will be no use for
them, if the Republic continues in its present state of internal
tranquillity ; the pay and rations of seven battalions now in Peru,
799.006 dollars, because, so lung as they remain there, there is no
necessity to maintain them from our treasury ; the pay and
rations of five squadrons of Cavalry, likewise in Peru, 137.940
dollars, for the same reason ; 350,000 dollars for cavalry rations,
because this expense would only be incurred in the event of a
campaign • 100,000 dollars, hospital expenses, as contracts
can he made on snore favourable terms. and sickness is not so
likely to prevail among the troops ; 100,000 dollars, pay of those
officers who may retire from the service, as the nation need not
maintain a greater armed force than is necessary ; 200.000 dollars,
the pay of four battalions, which have been allowed for in case
they should be required to complete our army, whh wet establish-
ment ; as likewise 300,000 dollars, which arc deducted in conse-
quence of other battalions not having their full complement. These
several items amount to 2.9117.036 dollars, independent of the sums
which are not paid to General Officers who form part of the Admi.
nistration.
DEPARTMENT OT THE NAVY.—This estimate amounts to
4,1109,077 dollars 4i rs., from which a million and a half of dollars
may be deducted, as all the vessels of war which have been esti-
mated for, are tot yet fit for service, and the estimates for damages,
repairs, he. may be overrated.
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE.-11Cre the only deduction that
can be made is in the sum for the payment of interest on the foreign
debt for as, during the last two years, a capital of 600,000 dollars
has been paid off, there is 36.000 dollars less to pay.
Total amount of hunts to be deducted :
Foreign Affairs Dollars 142 331 4
Interior 100,0110 0
War 2.987.036 0
Navy 1,500,0110 0
Finance - 36,000 0

Total

4,665,367 4

And, therefore, the estimate of the whole
expenditure is reduced to 10,822,351 71t
The amount of our revenue, limited in the statements published
by the Cosslitueimsui to 6,196.725 dollars 3 re. will be increased :
first, by the debt of Peru to Colombia far the furnishing of troops
and military supplies, which, although the amount is not yet
known, cannot be less than three millions of dollars; secondly. by
the net balance remaining from the loan of 1824 at the disposal of
the Government, and which we may imagine cannot he less
than two millions of dollars; thirdly. by the stims from the
same loan, furnished to the mints, and factories of tobacco;
fourthly, by the interest at 6 per cent. on the 320,000 dollars distri-
buted for the improvement of agriculture; lifddy, by tho interest
paid in bills of exchange drawn in favour of private individuals
against the funds of the loan in London.
We can, therefore, assert, without fear of deceiving ourselves,
that the sums which the Government can dispose of during the year
18.26. if they do not exceed, are, at all events, equal to the esti-
mated expense fur that year. But an in preceding years there has
been a i/cflel/, which has not hitherto been covered, and as in future
years Colombia will not have to count on the debt of Pero, nor
with the balance still remaining from the loan ; the Congress ought
to devise sufficient means, that, to future, even if no balance should
remain in the National Treasury, our receipts may be, at least,
adequate to meet our expenditure. We here, fur the present, dia.
miss this subject, to which we shall return on another opportunity.
• The Government has directed :hat this Message should be
printed, thudsame as the others: accompanied with such documents
as may be ged necesaaty by the Secretary of Finance. All tae
other Messages have already been primed.
t Remark—Ai error in the addition of 100,000 dollar'.