Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-12-16
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY Of THE
Observation-Disclosures.

Observation-Disclosures.
The revision and alteration in the existing du-
ties which will be called for by this state of things.
cannot too early engage the attention OF Congress.
The Information requisite TO the establishment OF
A scale of duties upon a permanent and satisfac-
tory basis, will require time; and a system in
which SO many important interests are involved,
will be better subserved by prospective lesisla-
ton than by sudden changes.
The revenue derived from the present duties
cannot be safely dispensed with before the period
assigned for the extinguishment Of the public
debt; but such revised system as Congress may,
in It's wisdom, previously provide, may with en-
tire propriety, be authorized to take effect from
and after the Sd Of March. 1883.
independently of the charge for the public
debt, the revenue for the expenditures OF the go
yernmeut. as at present authorised, need not, 1t
is estimated, exceed, annually, the sum OF SlS.-
500, 600.
IL Is believed, however, that there are other OBJ
iects of expenditure of obvious expediency, it
not of indispensable necessity, which it may be
supposed have been postponed by the higher obli-
cation of paving the public debt. The present
occasion is deemed prOpitious to provide for those
objects in a manner TO advance the glory anu
prosperity of the country. without Inconvenience
10 the people.
- n is therefore respectfully recommended that
N addition to the expenditure as at present au-
horised, appropriations may. at the proper time,
he proyided for the following obJects:-For aug
ment,ns the naval and military resources; ex-
tending the armories; arming the militia OF the
several states; increasing the pay anu emolu-
ments of the navy officers to an equality with
those Of The army. and providing them with the
means of nautical instructions; e~nlarslng the ha-
Wv hospital fund: Strengthening the frontier de-
fences: removing Instructions from the western
waters; for making accurate and complete sur
ye,s of the coast; aud for Improving the coast
and harbours of the Union. SD rs 10 afford great
er facilities to the m and navigation OF
the United States. The occasion would also be
a favorable one for constructing custom-houses
and warehouses in the principal commercial e..
TIPS. in some of.which they are indispenssbly ne
csssary for the purposes of the revenue; and
likewise for providing for the proper permanent
acc ommodation ot the courts of The u. States.
aud their officers. =,
I'm MANY districts the compensation OF the 9th
GERS of the customs. in the present state OF COM
MERGE. is insufficient for their support, and ma
d,ouate 10 their services. AS IA part OF the ge-
neral system, however, and effectually to guard
the revenue. the services of such officers are ne
cessary. without regard to the amount OF bus'-
mss. and il il believed expedient to make their
allowance commensurate with the vigilance re-
ouired. apd the duties To be performed hiur.
,hsr ;,nnrov.men, NAV be made in the mode Of
concentrating the officers Of the customs, by sub
s,;tn,ins salaries Tor fees in all the collection dts
trirts. by which, at a comparatively small expense
I'm the treasury. m and navigation wouiu
be relieved from burthens always inconvenient,
If not oppressive. -.
Il is believed that the public property aud Of
fees at the seat of government require Improve
,pl that furthnr anprnDrIa-
tons might be made to adapt them to the ihcreas-
inc business Of the cOuntry.
The salaries of the public ministers abroad
must he acknowledged to be utterly Inadequate
either for the dignity of the othce, or the neces-
r,rv comfort of their families. At some foreign
c,nrts. and those whose relation towards the u.
States are the most important, the expenses incl
Ion, IN the station are found SO burthens0me as
onlv 10 be met by the private resources oi the
minister. The tendency of this is to throw those
bivh trusts altogether into the hands OF the rich,
which is certainly not according to the genus OF
our system. Such a provision tor Pabile MINIS
t.rs AZ would obviate these evils. and enable the
m,ni.ter to pe,form the common duties OF hospl-
tali,y 10 his own countrymen. and promote So
c;aI intercourse between the citizens oil both ma
t;oo. would not only elevate the character OF his
country. but essentially improve The public rela-
In addition to these objects. further provision
NAV be made for those officers and soldiers OF the
revolution who are yet spared as monuments OF
that patriotism and selEdeyotioA to which, un-
der Providence, we owe our multiplied blessings.
For the foregoing purposes. together with the
existing expenditure, and a observation-disclosures
for such objects Of general improvement as shall
be Of an acknowledged national character. with
in the limits. as admitted BY the Executive OF the
mowers of Congress over the subject. an annual
revenue of $4,000. 900 will be FULLY adequate.
1t is worthy Of remark, that such an amount OF
revenue would scarcely exceed one dollar on each
;ndiyiduaI Of our population, as it may be reason,
ahIv computed when the reduced duties shall
tsEe effect, and that the individual burden would
coot;nue TO diminish with the increase OF poPula'
,;on and of the national resources.
The sources from which the revenue mas NTH
erto been derived. are the imports, PUBIC anus.
c any ~. 1.tter will cease: and, as the imports,