Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-12-19

Tor, during the three hrst quarters of That year. the
cepts exceeded thirteen millions and from a.
ready received il is quite certain those Of the fourth
quarter will amount to more than three lions, max
ing a total of more than sixteen millions for the csen-
Oar year.
Various general considerations and pat cnlarIy that
the stocks of imported goods were during the last
years, nearly exhausted induce the belief that the
venue from this will continue augment under
he present laws for the next years, bu It - doubt
ed, whether this increase VIII exceed three or four mil
lions.
II is believed that habits Of economy are prevailing
among our fellow citizens, stimulated and strengthened
by the sad consequences of ovelradng and spirit OF
speculation The dispos ton 10 husband their ms ans
prevents the purchase OF many superuous articles OF
foreign manufactures which were formerly in extensive
use Many fabrics which were heretofore imported.
and nearly all those which necessary 10 comfort,
excepting those composed Of silk, are manufactured
within own borders as well, and are furnished as
cheap, the productions OF other countries. This
has for several gradually reduced the con
sumption of foreign merchandise and will continue to
operate: and, in connection with more bsalthtul
economy, will materially affect the revenue. The es
tmae of receipts from customs for the ensuing eigh-
months have been framed in reference 10 these
considerations.
A table has been prepared under my direction,
which accompanies this report, (G) exhibiting the va
ue Of foreign merchandise imported ard re-exported
from 1881 to lS42, end showing the value OF art Giles
consumed or left on hand during each year. BY a
comparison of this table with another CD also hereto
annexed, showng the value of merchant re imported
and the duties accruag thereon for each year durin.
he same period, il Will be perceived, general
result that he duties we've tie greatest during the
years when the largest amounts OF imported goods
were either consumed O: left on hand A comparison
of these for the several years VIII Afford very good
idea of the average consumption OF foreign goods snd
the balances that must have bren left On hand and
will Justify the conclusion, that the largest amounts OF
duties founded upon the excess OF importation
over consumption in other words, that the regular
and steady consumption Of the country did not fur
nish the means from which those excessive revenues
were derived The inference 10 be drawn from these
results is, that not 10 expect such amounts ot
duties characterized the years OF 1884, 1872, lc5,
1896, aud 1892 without the existence of the same
-importatoGs beyond wants And indeed
4 more genera! inference may be drawn, that, with
out the Intervention of some extraordinary causes,
which there is reason to anticipate, we car
not rely upon than very moderate increase OF
duties from customs, bearing proportion TO the in
crease Of population, for years to come.
With view 10 furnish The information collected in
this Department, respecting the course and huciua-
tons of our foreign commerce, in 4 convenient form
for examination and reference, several very valuatl.
tables have been prepared which are annexed 10 this
Report Among them, besides those already mention
ed, is statement of exports of domestic produce
and Of foreign goods, distinguishing those subject TO
duty, from those that were free also tables of the
most important articles imported from those counries
with which we have the most intercourse, designating
them respectively and also, of our exports to the
same countries There is also table showing the
gross revenue OF each year, the expenses chargenble
upon it, and the nett proceeds Ali these embrace tie
period from lo2l, when the statistical reports were
first made, u the year lc42
The proceeds Of the sales of the public lands have
been estimated from the best elements within reach.
The demand for these lands steady, while 1t is mode
rate and there is reason TO anticipate the wild and
excessive rage for purchases which a. one time prevail
ed If The of emigration should take It's course o
.borea If he IN rl
fect The Government sales Of lands. The tracts set
apart to the States and located by tem being
likely tho 10 be uG ~ tas market will also have an Influence
not of equal magnitude, but having bearing upon tho
result have induced the undersigned TO doubt whether
the receipts from the sales OF lands Will be equal TO tie
slnates submitted. which have been obtained from
the General Land Office and are founded upon large
purchases being made of tracts that VII be brought
into the market.
The expenditures for the eighteen months will
be diminished 10 considerable extent, IN consequence
of the distribution Of The proceeds OF the sales oil public
lands having ceased of no appropriations being
sary for purchases of Indian lands OF various public
buildings heretofore authorized, being comrtte6 aud
is hoped of the claims OF militia and volunteers being
nearly satisfied.
YET, from present appearances, it seems certain That
the de6cenccs above stated will exist during the pre-
sent and the next fiscal year. They are but conlinu-
ances Of similar DEFICIENCIES which commenced mime
da,ey after the deposIes were made with the States,
and have continued Tor the last seven yours Inc
companving table (C) exhibits the receipts from the
various sources accruioc between the lt Of January,
1887 and the Both September, l543, the expend lures,
exclusive Of payments for principal or interest OF the
publ debi these made that account, and the actual
balances in the Treasury.
IL will be SEEN that the deficiency has been diminish
ing during the last three years having been at the rate
of seven hundred thousand dollars less per year during
that time than during the preceding four years. Tie
average rate OF revenue per annrm accFung between
IL, oc 1-.l~ I'd fl. ttsl hpr
was twenty millions of collrs, hiie That between
the ls Of January, loli and the Both September l-43,
was eighteen millions two hundred thousand dollars
per year
The accrning revenue stated in the table. embraces
all the receipts into the Treasury during the perocs
referred excepting those from debts and other funds
existing prior to 1887, in reference to the first men
toned period and with like exception of receipts
from similar funds which existed before lo4l, in rele
renee to The second PERIOD and excepting in both cases
the means derived from loans end Treasury notes.
This view taken for the purpose oil exhibiting the &C
tual revenue, independent at accdentl anu intrinsic
additions. Thus during The frs; four years, The d"i-
cheney IN the ordinary revenue was supplied By tho
balance in tie Treasury The Isl Of January, 1857,
of SI60s1 27S s. by receipts from debts end other
funds existing before the ls Of January 1884, 10 the
amount of SS,57G697 g. by Treasury noes. Dur
ino the last Two wears and nine months deficiency
was partly supplied by The balance in the Treasury on
the st cf Janua,y, lStl 81 ,i96621 60; by receipts
from funds existing before the last mentioned day To
the amount of S720133 90; and The residue by loans
and Treasury notes.
1t will be perceived also that the expenditures for
the four years. for all purposes other Than the pubic
debt averaged ct the - lions, hundred and
twenty-five thousand dollars per year; while those OF
the same character fo' the las: two years and nine
months averaged at The rate Of 81 Millions -four hur
bred ard freight thousand dollars per annum
The reduction in expenditures for The last mention
ed period as much greater than the dminuton Of re-
The payments account Of The principal and inter
est of the old public debt, and the interest on 'ans
and Treasury notes during the last mentioned pefoa.
exceeded Two millions, while t.ose between 1857
aud 1870, were less than hundred thousand dol
lars
From The preceding estimates and slate.
ments it appears that there wall be re-
auired for the service Of the present
fiscal year beyond the means in the
Treasury 100000 Go
And for the service OF the fiscal year,
commencing lst July, lsii, beyond
the probable revenue, al least 100000 90
s. 100000 90
d,,a Ian