Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-12-05

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subordinate tribunals, which may be
accomplished without an objectionable
/ increase of the number or expence of the
! Judges.
The extent and variety OF Executive
business. also accommodating with the pro-
S:eSs ot our country, and its growing 90
pulation, call ioran additional department,
to DE charged with duties now oyerbur-
dering other departments. and with such
as nave not been annexed 10 any depart
neut.
The course ofexperiencc recommends
| as another improvement in the ENecu-
tive establishment, that the provision for
| the station of Attorney General. whose
residence at the scat Of government, of
fetal connections with it, and manage
mentof the public business before the Ju-
| dietary, preclude an extensive pariicipa-
| lion III professional emoluments, be made
more adequate To his services and his re-
| linquishmeats; and that, with view TO
| his reasonable accommodation, and 10
proper depository of his official opinions
and proceedings, there be included in the
provision, the usual apputenances TO a
| public office.
In directing the legislative attention to the
state OF the finances, il IS subject of great
qualification 10 find, that. even within the Short
| period which has elapsed since the return OF
peace, the revenue has far exceeded all the
| current demands upon the treasury and thar
under any probable dimnution of its future an.
nnh product, which the vicissitudes OF COM
| merce may occasion, it Will afford an ample
| fund for the eitectnti and early eNtingush-
ment of the public debt. II has been estitna-
! teri, that during the year 1916, the actual re-
| ceipts OF revenue at the treasury, including
| the balance at the commencement of the wear,
and excluding the proceeds of loans and trca-
srTy notes, will amount TO about the sum OF for
! ty-seven millions of dollars that during the
| same year, the actual payments at the 3reasu-
| ny including the payment of the arrearages of
| the War Department, rs well as the payment
OF considerable excess beyond the annual
| appropriation, will amount 70 about the sum
| ot thirty eight millions of dollars and that
consequently, at the close of the year, there
| Will be a surplus in the treasury ofabout the
| sum of nine millions of dollars.
| The operations Of the treasury continue TO
| be Instructed by difficulties, arising from the
condition OF the national currency but, they
| have, nevertheless, been efiectUa to benefit
| cai extent, in the reduction of the public debt
and the establishment OF the public credit
| The floating debt OF treasury notes, and tenn
| porary loans, will soon be entirely DISCHARGED
The aggregate OF the funded debt, composed
| OF debts incurred during the wars of I776 and
| 1872, has been estimated, with reference to
| the hrst OF January next, at sum not exceed
| ing one hundred and ten millions of dollars
The ordinary annual expences of the govern
| ment, for the maintenance of all its institute
| Gus, civil, military and naval, have been esti-
| mated at sum less than twenty millions of dol
| lars. Ana tile permanent revenue, to he deri-
| we'd from all the existing sources, has been es-
| timated at sum Of about twenty-five millions
| OF dollars.
| Upon this general view ofthe subject, il is
obvious, that there is only wanting, to theiiscal
| prosperity of the government, the restoration
| of an uniform medium ofeX change. The resour.
ces n faith of the nation, displayed in the
| system which Congress has established, en-
| sure respect and confidence both at home
| and abroad. The local Accommodations of the
revenue have already enabled the treasury to
| meet the public engagements in the local cur
| rency of mosto OF the states and il is expect
| ed that the same cause will produce the same
| effect, throughout the union. But, for the in
| terests OF the community at large, as well
| for the purposes of the treasury il is essential
| thatthe nation should possess a currency OF e.
/ quail value, credit and use, wherever 1t may
| circulate. The constitution has entrusted Con-
| gress. exclusively, with the power of creating
ana Iegulaunga currency OF that description
| and the measures which were taken, during
the last session. in execution OF the power, give
! every promise of success. The Bank of the
| United States has been organised under ausDi-
| ces, the most favorable, and cannot fail to be
! an important auxiliary to those measures.
Fora more enlarged view Of the public finan-
| ceS, with view OF the measures pursued by
| the Treasury Department, previous to the re-
sisnation of the late Secretary, transmit an ex
tract, from the last report of that officer. Con-
! grcsS viii perceive IN 1t, ample proofs of the
| solid foundation on which the financial pros
\ TO the distinguished ability and successful eX-
| ertions with which The duties of the depart
ment were executed, during period remark
able for its difficulties and its peculiar perplex-
/ tiles.
The period of MY retiring from the public
service, being at little distance, shall find
no occasion more proper than the present, for
| expressing to MY feliOw-citizens, my deep
| sense of the continued confidence and kind
| support which have received from them
| My grateful recollection of these distinguished
| marks OF their favorable regard can never
/ cease and, with the consciousness, that if
| have not served my country with greater abli-
| ity, have served it with sincere devotion,
| will accompany me source of unfailing
| qualification.
| Happily, shall carry with me from the pub
! lie theatre, other sources, which those who love
| their country most, will best appreciate
| shall behold it blessed with tranquility and
| prosperity at home, and with peace and res
| pect abroad. i can indulge the proud reflec-
ton, that the American people have reached in
| safety and success, their fortieih year as an in
| dependent nation; that for nearly AN entire
| generation, they have had experience OF their
| present constitution, the offspring OF their un-
| disturbed deliberations, and Of their free
| choice ; that they have found it to bear the
| trials of adverse, as well as prosperous circum-
| stances, to contain, in its combination OF the
| fedcrate and elective principles a reconcile
ment of public strength with Individual liberty,
| of national power for the defence of national
rights, with a security against wars Of nius-
tice, OF ambition, OF of vain glory, in the funda-
mental provision which subjects all questions
of war; to the will of the nation itself which is
to pay its costs and feel its c1lamities. Nor is
IL less a DccuIar felicity of fhie constitution co