The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-09

wise be necessary In fixing the system on dura-
Bile basis the grant Of both these powers seems expe
dent as a rrovident arrangement, whatever course
NAV at any future time be pursued ia regard 10 the
recall Of the present large deposiies placed by the
General Government with the States.
Third That the additional duties OF general de-
posilores be imposed on all receivers ana collectors
ofthe public money land on the Mint and lis branches,
as well as the Treasurer at the seat Of Government,
under such regulations, in respect TO disbursements
and transfers, as have before been indicated. This
change might judiciously include an authority TO
employ separate repositories, special or general IN
dyidual or corporate, under the circumstances and
responsibilities suggested at the late session, u the
amount in possession Of any collecting officer should
generally exceed what IS well secured by official
bonds.
Whether these provisions BE-, in the discretion of
Congress len TO constitute the whole system of
keeping and diSbursing the public money or only
part of it, they form change which would I'M
doubledly BE- very sautary
Fourth That permission be given to receive pay
ment In advance for the public lands at such places
this Department may appoint, Ion the convenience
Of both the Treasury and the community.
Fifth. The extension of the warehouse system, in
connection with requiring all duties ON imports to
be paid when the goods are taken out for eonsump-
tion is another change which though less urgent in
some points of view, is very desirable in respect TO
the collection and security OF the most important
portion of the public revenue In The consideration
of these propositions, the present condition Of the
finances and of the country is circumstance OF the
first and most decisive importance We are with
out any national debt 10 absorb and regulate sur
puses, or any adequte supply OF banking institutions
which provide a sound curreLcy Tor general purpo-
ses by paying specie on demand, or which are in a
situation fully TO command confidence, for keeping,
discussing, and transferring the public funds i'll a
satisfactory manner. 1t will not, then be q matter
Of surprise that the undersigned feeling daily end
most sensibly the difficulties as well as a great re-
SpOnSihilify cDnluciinu the the Trpa-
sury without the adoption of these measures, should
press them upon the earliest consideration of Con-
gresS with an earnes.ncss and perseverance that
might otherwise not appear jusiiiiable
8. Sereral miscellaneous matters,
Occasion will b. taken during the session 10 pre-
sent separate reports concerning the Mint the Land
Office and some other subjects under the general
superintendent OF this Department.
revision OF the number and compensation Of
custom house officers has for some years received
the attention Of Congress.
The public welfare, as well as equal Justice to
rious incumbens, appears urgently TO require fur
Their Legislation upon this subject at the first practical
bic opportunity
The recent law, postponing the payment Of duties,
has for some time deprived several of those officers
OF greal part of their compensation and new egis
lation is required not only for temporary relief but
to remunerate te losses which must happen in many
instances in case OF death, resignation or expiration
of office.
SO as to empower one of the present Comprollers 10
act solely in the capacity Of Commissioner of the
Customs devolving on him. also, all the other appro-
PIRATE business of the marine hospitals revenue cut
tiers, and lighthouse establishments was on a for
mer occasion recommended, and is still considered
by the undersigned measure very deserving of at
tention.
Considerable progress has been made in the inte-
resting subjects Of the survey Of the coast and the
preparation of standard weights and measures for
the several States well for the United States.
i will be fully explained in special communica-
tons.
Some further authority 10 sell or apportion the
Spanish inscriptions, which belong to the claimints
under the treaty Of indemnify, is desirable, as the
payments on them seem exposed to considerable de-
lay. II is gratifying to b. able TO communicate the
fact, that under the French treaty, in addition TO
what has heretofore been paid to the claimants on
the first four installmentS another for interest
amounting to one million and twenty two-thousand
one hundred and cightyfve francs has probably
been paid, which will be apportioned among them as
soon as it can be RENTED TO this country.
Several resolutions of one or the other House of
Congress, calling on the Department for special in
formation TO be submitted at the present session,
have received careful attention.
1 he most important of them are such relate to a
sssem OF tecgrdphsto the proper sites for more light
houses part Of the Atlantic coasthe plans most
suitable for several marine hospitals--the defaults I'M
adjusted OF all collecting and deposite agents since the
foundation OF the government, and copies OF The returns
Of specie and bank paper from the land Offices and pub
lie repositories since the adoption of the specie fcrcu-
lar. These all ready to be reported at early
day
This Department, by resolution Of the House Of
Representatives, has Also for years been engaged
in procuring through The Franklin Institute series of
experiments to be made the strength of the materials
employed in seam-boers and the best methods Of pre-
venting explosions. Several able communications con-
corning these matters have been made by the Institute,
and were heretofore submitted TO Congress.
final report on the whole subject has been COM
petcd the last annual session, and printed copy
Of it for each member will be laid before the House in
few days, An anxious hope is felt that the great
evnced by the Institute in an inquiry so momentous
the security OF property and life, and guided by all the
lights OF science, will have been long devoted in
valn but will lead to useful legislation by the General
Government, as well as the State Legislatures. The
increased and increasing Importance Of the subject must
be offered as an apology for the with which
its early consideration is again pressed
The disasters of the past year have been frequent
and appalling, that they TO call with urgency
than usual for the passage Of laws the rgod and in
some respects, penal Their provisions might well be
directed TO esure proper strength in the original mate
rails for the boilers to provide the best securities for
the safe construction OF both them and the vessels and
TO exact by exemplary punishments, vigilance and
prompudc in the adoption of all approved safeguards
against tie calamities Of explosions conhagratons and
wrecks When we advert to the extensive coast,
James, aHu rivers WllTH our
ton, which covered with machinery propelled by
power vast, either for good evil it be obv
Gus that the consideration and due disposal Of these
questions at an early day important, not only to
the preservation Of much property, but to public
tranquility and the cause Of humanity. p"
Respectfully submitted
LEVI WOODBURY.,
Secretary Of The Treasury
Hon r. M. JOHNSON,
Wee President Of the United States
and President of the Senate.