The Sun.
London, England, 1858-12-20 00:00:00

THE PUBLIC DEBT.

" The public debt on the Ist July, 1858, the commence-,
ment of the present fiscal year, was 25,155,977 dols. 67c.
" During the first quarter of the present year the sum
of 10,000,000 dols. has been negotiated of the loan authorised
by the act of 14th June, 1858—making the present out-
standin,g public debt, exclusive of Treasury notes,
35,155,177 dols. 66c. There was on the Ist July, 1858, of
Treasury notes issued by authority of the act of Dec. 23,
1857, unredeemed, the sum of 19,754,800 dols., making the
amount of actual indebtedness, at that date, 54,910,777 dela.
66c. To this will be added 10,000,000 dols. during the pre-
sent fiscrl year, this being the remaining half of the loan of
20,000,000 dole. not yet negotiated.
" The rapid increase of the public debt, and the necessity
which exists for a modification of the tariff, to meet even
the ordinary expenses of the Government, ought to admo-
nish us all in our respective spheres of duty, to the practice
of rigid economy. The objects of expenditure should be
limited in number, as far as this may be practicable, and
the appropriations necessary to carry them into effect ought
to be disbursed under the strictest accountability. Enlight-
ened economy does not consist in the refusal to appropriate
money for constitutional purposes, essential to the defence,
progress, and prosperity of the Republic, but in taking care
that none of this money ih3ll be wasted, by mismanage-
ment, in its application to the objects designed by law.
" Comparisons between the annual expenditure at the
present time, and what it was 10 or 20 years ago, are alto-
gether fallacious. The rapid increase of our country in ex-
tent and population renders a corresponding increase of ex-
penditure to some extent unavoidable. This is constantly
creating new objects of expenditure, and augmenting the
amount required for the old. The true questions, then, aro
—have these objects been unnecessarily multiplied P or has
tlw amount expended upon any or all of them been larger
than comports with due economy ? In accordance with
these principles, the heads of the different executive depart-
ments of the Government have been instructed to reduce
their estimates for the next fiscal year to the lowest stan-
dard consistent with the efficiency of the service, and this
duty they have performed in a spirit of just economy. The.
estimates of the Treasury, War, Navy, and Interior De-
partments, have each been in some degree reduced; and
unless a sudden and unforeseen emergency should arise, it
is not anticipated that a deficiency will exist in either
within the present or the next fiscal year. The Post-office
Department is placed in a peculiar position, different from
the other departments, and to this I shall hereafter refer.

" I invite -Congress to institute a rigid scrutiny to ascer-
tain whether the expenses in all departments cannot be still
further reduced; and I promise them all the aid in my
power in pursuing the investigation.
THE DEPARTMENTS.

"I transmit herewith the reports made to me by the Se-
cretaries of War, of the Navy, of the Interior, and of the
Postmaster-General. They each contain valuable infor-
mation and important recommendations, to which I invite
the attention of Congress.
"In my last annual message I took occasion to recom-
mend the immediate construction of 10 small steamers,
light draught, for the purpose of increasing the efficiency of
the navy. Congress responded to the recommendation, by
authorising the construction of Bof them.. The progress
which has been made in executing this authority is stated in
the report of the Secretary of the Navy. I concur with him
in opinion, that a greater number of this class of vessels
is necessary for the purpose of protecting in a more efficient
manner the persons and property of American citizens on
the high seas, and in foreign countries, as well as in guard-
ing more effectually our own coast. I accordingly recom-
mend the passage of an act for this purpose.
"The suggestions contained in the report of the Secre-
tary of the Interior, especially these in regard to the dispo-
sition of the public domain, the pension and bounty land
system, the policy towards the Indians, and the amendment
of our patent laws are worthy of the serious consideration
of Congress.
" The post-office department occupies a position very
different from that of the other departments. For many
years it was the policy of the Government to render this a
self-sustaining department ; and if this cannot now be ac-
complished in the present condition of the country we ought
to make as near an approach to it as may be practicable.
" The Postmaster-General is placed in a most embarrass-
ing position by the existing laws. He is obliged to carry
these into effect. He has no other alternative. He finds,
however, that this cannot be done without heavy demands
upon the Treasury over and above what is received for
postage ; and these have been progressively increasing from
ear to year, until they amounted, for the last fiscal year
ending Juno 30, 1858, to more than 4,500,000 dels.; whilst
it is estimated that for the present fiscal year they will
amount to 6,290,000 dols. These sums are exclusive of the
•annual appropriation of 700,000 dais. for compensation for
the mail services performed for the two houses of Congress,
and the other departments and officers of the Government
in the transportation of free matter.'
"The cause of these large deficits is mainly attributable
to the increased expense of transporting the mails. In 1852
the sum paid for this service was but a fraction over four
millions and a quarter. Since that year it has annually in-
creased, until in 1858 it has reached more than eight
mil-
lions and a quarter; and for the service of 1859 it is esti-
mated that it will amount to more than ten ,millions of
dollars.

. ,
" The receipts of the post-office department can be made
to approach or to equal its expenditure only by means of
the legislation of Congress. In applying any remedy cam
should be taken that the people snail not be deprived of the
advantages which they are fairly entitled to enjoy from the
post-office department. The principal remedies recom-
mended to the consideration of congress by the postmaster
general, are to restore the former rate of postage upon single
letters to five cents.; to substitute for the franking privilege
the delivery to those now entitled to enjoy it of post office
stamps for their correspondence, and to direct the depart-
ment in making contracts for the transportation of the mail
to confine itself to the payment of the sums necessary for
the single purpose without requiring it to be transported in
post coaches or
,carriages of any particular. description

Under the present system the expense to the government
is greatly increased by requiring that the mail ehall be
carried in such vehicles as will accommodate passengers.
This will be done without pay from the department over all
roads where the travel will remunerate the contractors.
" These recommendations deserve the grave considera-
tion of Congress.
" I would again call your attention to the construction of
a Pacific railroad. Time and reflection have but served to
confirm me in the truth and justice of the observations
which I made on this subject in my last annual message,to
which I beg leave respectfully to refer.
" It is freely admitted that it would be inexpedient for
this government to exercise theapwer of constructing the
Pacific railroad by its own imnoWate agents. Such a policy
would increase the patronage of the executive to a danger-
ous extent, and introduce a system of jobbing and corrup-
tion which no vigilance on the part of Federal officials could
either prevent or detect. This can only be done by the.keen
eye and active and careful supervision of individual and
private interest. The construction of this road ought,
therefore, to be committed to companies incorporated by the
States, or other agencies whose pecuniary interests, would
be directly involved. Congress might then assist them in
the work by grants of land or of money, or both, under
such conditions and restrictions as would secure the trans-
portation of troops and munitions of war free from any
charge, and that of the United States mail at a fair and
reasonable price.
" The progress of events since the commencement of
your last session has shown how soon difficulties disappear
before a firm and determined resolution At that time such -
a road was deemed by wise and patriotic men to be a vision-
ary project. The great distance to be overcome, and the
intervening mountains and deserts in the way, were ob-
stacles which, in the opinibn of many, could not be gar-
mounted. Now, after the lapse of but a single year, these
obstacles, it has been discovered, are far less formidable
than they were supposed to •be ; and mail stages with pas'
senger now pass and repass regularly twice in each week
by a common waggon road, between San Francisco and St.
Louis and Memphis in less than 25 days. The service has
been as regularly performed as it was in former years be-
tween New York and this city.
" Whilst disclaiming all authority to appropriate money
for the construction of this road, except that derived from
the war-making power of the constitution, there are im-
portant collateral considerations urging us to undertake the
work as speedily as possible.
" The first and most momentous of these is, that such a
road would be a powerful bond of union between the States
east and west of the Rocky Mountains. This is so self-evi-
dent as to require no illustration.
" But, again, in a commercial point of view, I consider
this the great question of the day. With the eastern front
of our Republic stretching along the Atlantic, and its west-
ern front along the Pacific, if all the parts should be united
by a safe, easy, and rapid communication we must neces-
sarily command a very large proportion of the trade both of
Europe and Asia. Our recent treaties with China and
Japan will open these rich and populous empires to our
commerce ; and the history of the world proves that the
nation which has gained possession of the trade with East-
ern Asia has always become wealthy and powerful. The
peculiar geographical position of California and our Pacific
possessions invites American capital and enterprise into
this fruitful field. To reap the rich harvest, however,
it is an indespensable pre-requisite that we shall first
have a railroad, to conveyand circulate its products through-
out every portion of the Union. Besides such a rail-
road througout our temperate latitude, which would not
be impeded by the frosts and snows of winter, nor by the
tropical heats of summer, would attract to itself much of
the travel and the trade of all nations passing between
Europe and Asia.

THE SLAVER ECHO.
" On the 21st of August last, LieutenanlJ. N. Maffit, of
the United States brig Dolphin, captured the slaver Echo
(formerly the Putnam, of New Orleans), near Kay Verde,
on the coast of Cuba, with more than 300 African negroes
on board. The prize, under the command of Lieutenant
Bradford, of the United States navy, arrived at Charleston
on the 27th of August, when the negroes, 306 in number,
were delivered into the custodyjof the United States vas:-
shal for the district of South Carolina. Thay were first
placed in Castle Pinckney, and afterwards in Fort Sumter,
for safe keeping, and were detained there until the 19th of
September, when the survivors, 171 in number, were deli-
vered on board the United States steamer Niagara, to be
transported to the coast of Africa, under the charge of the
agent of the United States, pursuant to the provisions of
the act of the 3d of March, 1819, in addition to the acts
prohibiting the slave trade.' Under the secomd section of
this act the President is authorised to make such 'TV's'
tiens and arrangements as he may deem expedient, for the.
safe keeping, support, and removal beyond the limits at
the United States, of all such negroes, mulattoes, or per- ,
sons of colour', captured by vessels of the United States, or
may be delivered to the marshal of the district into which
they are brought ; ' and to appoint a proper person or per-
sons residing upon the coast of Africa as agent or agents
for receiving the negroes, mulattoes, or persons of colour,
delivered from on board vessels seized in the prosecution of
the slave trade by commanders of the United States armed
vessels.'

" A doubt immediately arose as to the true construction
of this act. It is quite clear from its terms that the Presk
dent was authorised to provide for the safe keeping, suß-
port, and removal' of these negroes up till the time of their
delivery to the agent on the coast of Africa; but no express
provision was made for their protection and support, after
they had reached the place of their destination. Still, all
agent was to be appointed to receive them in Africa ; and
it could not have been supposed that Congress intended
he should desert them at the moment they were received'
and turn them loose on that inhospitable coast to perish
for want of food, or to become again the victims of the slave
trade. Had this been the intention of Congress the em-
ployment of an agent to receive them, who is required to
reside on the coast, was unnecessary, and they might have
been landed by our vessels anywhere in Africa, and left ea'
posed to the sufferings and the fate which would certainly
await them.
"Mr. Monroe, in his special message of the 17th of De-
cember, 1819, at the first session after the act passed, an-
nounced to Congress what, in his opinion, was its true con-
struction. He believed it to be his duty under it to follow
these unfortunates into Africa, and make provision for that
there, until they should be able to provide for themselves.
In communicating this interpretation of the act to Congress
he stated that some doubt had been entertained as to its
true intent and meaning, and he submitted the question W
them, so that they might, should it be deemed advisable,
amend the same before further proceedings are had under
it.' Nothing was done by Congress to explain the act, and
Mr. Monroe proceeded to carry it into execution according
to his own interpretation. This, then, became the practic
construction. When the Africans from on board the Echo
were delivered to the marshal at Charleston, it became
my duty to consider what disposition ought to be made of
them under the law. For many reasons it was expedientte
move them from that locality as speedily as possible.
Although the conduct of the authorities and citizens of
Charleston, in giving countenance to the execution of the
law, was just what might be expected from their high chileratter,
racter, yet a prolonged continuance of three hundred Afrl'
cans in the immediate vicinity of that city could not have
failed to become a source of inconvenience and anxiety to
its inhabitants. Where to send them was the question.
There was no portion of the coast of, Africa to which they
could be removed with any regard to humanity, excePt
to Liberia. Under these circumstances, an agreement veal
entered into with the Colonisation Society on the 7th of
September last, a copy of which is herewith transmitted,.
under which the society engaged, for the consideration of
forty-five thousand dollars, to convey these Africans to
Liberia from the agent of the United States, and furnish
them during the period of one year thereafter with comfort-
able shelter, clothing, provisions, and medical attendance
causing the chuldrento receive schooling; and all, whether
children or adults, to be instructed in the arts of civilised
life, suitable to their condition. This aggregate of 45,000
dols. was based on an allowance of 150 dols. for each indi-
vidual, and as there had been considerable mortality among
them, and may be more before they reach Africa, the society
have agreed, in an equitable spirit, to make such a deduc-
tion from the amount as under_the circumstances may LIP'
pear just and reasonable. This cannot be fixed until We
shall ascertain the actual number which may become $
charge to the society.
" It was also distinctly agreed that, under no circular
stances, shall this government be called upon for any addi-
tional expenses.
" The agents of the society manifested a laudable desire
to conform to the wishes of the government throughout the
transaction. They assured me that after a careful exami-
nation they would be,required to expend the sum of 150 dole.
on each individual in complying with the agreement, and
they would have nothing left to remunerate them for their,
care, trouble, and responsibility. At all events I could
make no better arrangeinent, and there was no other alter-
native. During the periel when the government itself,
through its own agents, undertook the task of providing for
_
captured negroes in Africa, the cost per head was very wile'
greater.
" There having been no outstanding appropriation ap-
plicable to this purpose, I could not advance any money on
the agreement. I therefore recommend that an appropfla-
tion may be made of the amount necessary to carry it into
effect.

14 Other captures of a similar character may, and proba-
bly
will be, made by our naval forces ; and I earnestly re-
commend that Congress may amend the second section of
the act of March 3, 1819,, so as to free its construction from
the ambiguity which has so long existed, and render the
duty of the President plain in executing its provisions.
" I recommend to your favourable regard the local in-
terests of the district of Columbia. As the residence Of
Congress and the executive departments of the government,
we cannot fail to feel a deep concern in its welfare. This
is heightened by the high character and the peaceful and
orderly conduct of its resident inhabitants.
" I cannot conclude without performing the agreeable duty

of expressing my gratification that Congress so kindly re-
sponded to the recommendation of my last annual message
by affording me sufficient time before the close of their late
session for the examination of all the bills presented to we
for approval. This change in the practice of Congress has
proved to be a wholesome reform. It exerted a beneficiet
influence on the transactions of legislative business, an
elicited the general approbation of the country. It enabled
Congress to adjourn with that dignity and deliberation so
becoming to the representatives of this great Republic/
without having crowded into general appropriation bills prcr
visions foreign to their nature, and of doubtful constitu-
tionality and expediency. Let me warmly and strongly
commend this precedent, established by themselves, as a
guide to their proceedings during the present session.
" JAMES BUCHANAN.
" Washington City, Dec. 6, 1858."

BIRTHS.
BURNSIDE.—On the 10th inst., at Malta, the wife pf CaPt

Burnside, H.M.'s 21st Fusiliers, of a son.
DEPREE.—On the 17th inst.. at 12, Bloomsbury square'
Mrs. C. Templer Depree, of a daughter. . . •
MARRIAGES.
BAKER—PEN ROSE.—On the 16th inst at St. Paneras 14ellf
Church, Mr. William J. Baker, Brecknoek-place, Caw-
den New Town, to Amelia, third daughter of Mr. Thos
li. Penrose, $B, Camden-road Villas.
MACNAGIITEN—MARTIN.—On the 18th inst., at StlYster:l
Church, Eaton-square, Edward Macnaghten, bscl•tvir.
Lincoln's-inn, barrister-at-law, second son of Sir 8.,
Macnaghten, Bart., of Dundarave, county Antrim, IST
land, to Frances Arabella, only daughter of the Hon.
Samuel Martin, one of the Barons of her Majesty's Cow
of Exchequer.
DEATHS.
BALGuY.-20n the 16th inst., at Duffield, near Derby, Juhll„
Balguy. Esq., Q.C., Commissioner of the Birrninghl"
District Court of Bankruptcy, and Recorder of DerbY'
egei 77.
BLAKE.—On the 11th inst., John Joseph Blake, Esq., {or-
BLAKE.—On
merly of the Hon. E.l.C.'s Service, and late of the Ban'
of Englarid, aged 85. -

LONDON : Printed and Published by KURD° YOUl4°'
of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The 1-Sun Office, No. 112 i
Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the county
Middlesex, Monday, December 20, 1858.