The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-05-01

equal D-equal to what 2 "To the antieipatiomsprs-
viously formed" When3 Howl What3 How
much2
:" The difference before named mot specified how
ever" were fortunately of character, not to change
the fiscal condition of l84l in proportion to their
respective amounts the receipts in that year will pro-
baby be larger, and the expenses smaller" Pro-
badly "-"l larger -" smaller" Alas alas give us
figures, in such momentous concerns the fiscal af
fairs of a nation These anticipations" and pro-
liabilities" ofa Secretary Of the Treasury down
right mockery.
Next comes fluctuations and contingencies gener-
ally" with suggestion Of The Importance Of guard
ing against them by some subsidiary means"
Accordingly "-(what ~" as had been done on
similar occasions ~ what - since the public
debt was discharged -" what in the world is the man
after ~" and the csrrent revenue diminished Gin
creased obscurty D." these means what means3
afraid To speak out-too delicate matter) ~" were re-
quesed by the Department the first moment practical
BILE after the session began being in the annual report
itself" Who would think that all this meant the ma
ton in debtin want of Treasury Notes Sc 2 For the
Secretary speaks Of the public debts being dischar-
ged and is laboring to ward off the idea that we have
got in debt again on peace establishment He only
proposed what had been done similar osca-
sons, to witt when in debt, since the public debt
was discharged" This, we suppose, he would call
private debtor what
The additional communications in this and other
years, urging compliance with such requests, were
made only TO develope facts and reasons, which
had in the mean time occurred favorable to previous
recommendations" The amount of this intolerable
mystcation is this Dared speak out in the annu-
al report hut in afterwards, asking for Treasury
Notes, only to develope new facts and reasons"
although the aid not in this instance furnish
ed early desired yet the Department has succeed
ed in commanding its funds SO efectuay, as with the
existing resources the first of January and the cur
rent receipts afterwards, to meet all the authorized
claims that due and presented during the severe
pressure experienced in that month"
First, then, we have the confession of severe
pressure" in January. Was that safe for prudent
Government? Next, should like to know what
classification these authorized claims" are in
financial echnicalities in distinction from other claims?
Here, also, authorized claims due" and another
class due and presented" distinction from those
not due" not presented" or not due and pre-
sented." What does all this meant We have
right to ask, the classifcaons are unusual and we
ask most sincerely It is very well known that many
claims on the Government have been suspended.
Does the Secretary to say they were never au-
thorzed ~ Or the correlative to be found in those
claims reported in Congress " adversely"
In the next paragraph Of this Report or Letter, or
Address, whatever it be called (not yet being bap-
tized we informed that "since the desired aid"
by new batch Of Treasury Notes. awas furnished in
February, necessity had arisen to issue any of
them. However, not to have all that trouble for mo-
thing they had just pat forth $5OO0OO aNe neces-
| sity," however o no. It was just to keep business
lively. Nevertheless, il was " desired add"
Next have quite fattering account Of the reys-
receipts and debit accounts for the month of Janu
airy, in general terms-nothing specifc-as much as
| was anticipated.
The revenue received in February not yet fully
ascertained, has probably been nearly the in
the preceding month, but the accruing duties be-
HeDed to be considerably less" Such the language
of public nancier" probably, " nearly !" "beiey-
ed" considerably" &c.! Not single statement in
| figures! :" It is computed, however" How does
financier compute1 BY conjectures, probabillties
consderables, nearlys, &c.2 So it would SEEM Here
is quite large" in this computation and that is the
nearest approach to figures we can find. Nor have
the expenditures, since the year began, varied mate
rally from the amount erpected."
Having travelled full half way through this docu-
ment, most happy to light on one solitary item
in the form Of Federal money and Mr.. Woodbury.
himself, too, to have been glad to find it, 1t
gratifying to be able to add says he, that after
all the payments above described the balance of avail
| able money now in the Treasury is more than a mil
lion of dollars" HAbove described" 1t is to be un-
derstood that description is thing, and specification
another. "AH the payments" We have no doubt
that many made but none happen to be specified
in the quarter referred to- except the $50O0OO SO he-
rally advanced for pensions before due" And alas
this million of dollars, which we thought we had
curely clutched is gone tool Or rather, was never
in hand. 1t stands on book as follows: Including
what stands subject to draft and to the credit Of the
Treasurer in the minis, and with collectors and re-
ceivers." This we admit, was probably good. Mr..
Woodbury. himself however, will be seen, is forced
| to cut down tins million one-fourth
| We have next a statement how smoothly and tr
umphanty Mr.. Van Burens Administration swung
clear of difficulty, in the perilous "exgency" Of the
last three months with balance in the Treasury Of
"from half million to a million Of doarsp As in
all former exgencies, since your Administration COM
| menced.n
| g Your administration" Here, for the first and
only tme have clue to the character of this do
| cument viz that it is pripate letter. The Globe
| calls it "Mr Woodbury. REPoRT to Mr.. Van Buren,"
| not to the President ofthe United States.
To proceed. The last perilous three months, and
all former exgencies," safely past we told that
any good fortune under such perils, should not be
suffered to impair the force of the recommendations
that have from time to time been submitted to Con-
gress, for the provision Of additional means" that is
Treasury Notes, the Secretary being too modest to
name these specifically. This mode Of conccalng the
fact Of national debt, according to Mr.. Woodbury.
was first recommended in 1885, " Immediately after