The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-12-11

that the collecting officers can, in most places keen and
disburss as well collect the public dues without great
Inconvenience; and that the exclusive empoymen, u
banks as deposite agents though regarded com
parstiyely unsafe 10 relation 10 eventual payment Ia,
proved embarrassing and dangerous in other respect,
and is unnecessary, provided few additional receiver,
and the additional regulations, checks and securIe,
which have been urged in respect TO collectug officers,
are adopted
H. ON SEVERAL MISCELLANEOUS Matters
Several reports viii soon be made on various o,bc,
matters OF public interest confined 10 the charge Of ,b
Department.
These VIII include one the progress made N ,he
manufacture Of weights and measures and their a.,,
button among the dieren, States and custom A.
well as on the important survey OF the Atlantic coast Of
the United States Another will be submitted on Tho
erection and disconnuanee Of light houses and Other,
on The affairs OF the General Land Office and The Mint
and its branches
e Since last December, the sixth nsalment due from
France aud the fifth from Naples, for ndemnlt.es af,,
being punctualy paid, have been transferred to tins
country, aud distributed among the claimants Notice
mas also been recently received that the arrearaces of
interest due from France upon the first -four instruments
nave oeen PAID, and the amounts exceeding million
OF francs, viii be forthwith adjusted with those entitled
tot
The Smithsonian legacy amounting TO more than
ai million Of dollars, has been received and invested
for particulars, reference be had special report
which Will be made to the President aud laid before
Congress under resolution of the House Of Represen-
tatyes,
At early day il is intended TO submit to that House
valuable collection of facts, in compliance with
solution calling for information concerning the number
OF steamboats,, locomotives, and other machinery moved
by steam within the United States, well the causes
OF the explosion IN steam boilers, and various
connected With that interesting subject
such other questions OF minor Importance as have
been referred 10 this Office will be answered early
practicable
II is hoped that the undersigned will not be regarded
as too mportunaie, If he again expresses an earnest
desire for a reorganization OF the Treasury Depart
ment
With some slight changes rendered proper hy new
legislation since 1895, the less complex and ctf
Gent system at that time recommended in separate re-
| port would be great improvement.
That portion OF IL proposing separation Of the duties
OF Commissioner Of the Customs from those oil comp
trolling accounts, and requiring the undivided attention
Of bureau TO each subject, Of the pressing
importance, and would greatly conducc TO prompt.
tude exactness and skill in the respective business OF
| each.
| An alteration in the commencement OF the fsca year
and revision OF the number and compensation OF
tom-house officers, and also Of several laws connected
with the collection OF the nposts still
desirable when they heretofore submitted to the
consideration OF Congress. Some legal provision
the subject OF return duties, regulating the manner Of
keeping them while under protest, and the mode of
payment is necessary TO remove doubts and promote
the public security. The employment Of more boys IN
the merchant is, in some degree connected wuh
the customs, account OF its tendency TO afford adj
donal protection the lives and property engaged IN
commerce, well to improve the morals Of mariners,
and prevent smuggling, mutlnics. and piracIes,
The encouragement by law Of such an acquisition 10
the marine of country, by bringing INTO active
usefulness class of intelligent, vrtuous, aud able
men, would tend materially to avert Of the hume
rous evils from that quarter, which bear upon
mercal energy and prosperity.
Respectfully yours,
LEVI WOODBURY.,
Secretary of the Treasury.