The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-12-11

,b., year. II inelsdss a. s06 S6s II. the a@ssst ..
duties which had accrued In Ie4l, and wss sssarsd
n, bonds that were paid n 1872 and also ttS1 On
~ Treasury nole6 redeemed BY the colIestOss N s
former year. but which were credited IN lSl2, thu
lea Ting the sctual receipts from tho duties d As
YEAR II less than thirteen millions Il will DO per-
ssiyed that there was decided improvement In the
duties on Imports during the year lo]S for, during
The three frat quarters Of that year the receipts
eeeded thirteen millions and, from rsturns already
received II quito certain those Of the fourth quar-
Ter will amount 10 more than three millions, making
a total of more than sixteen millions for The calendar
year.
Various general considerations, and particularly
that the stocks of imported goods were, during the
last two yssrs, nearly exhausted, induce the belief
that the revenue from this source will continue v
augment under the present laws for the next two
years. but 70 doubted whether this increase will OK
coed three OF four millions. t. e6.
Ii 10 believed that habits Of economy prevailing
among our fellow citizens stimulated and strengthens
ed BY the sad consequences Of 0vertrsdns and spirit
of speculation. The deposition 70 husband their
means prevents the purchase Of many super6uous
tcles OF foreign manufacture which were formerly
ia extensive use. Many fabrics which were hereto
fore imported and nearly all those which are neces-
,ary to our comfort, excepting those composed ol
ak, are manufactured within our own borders ~
WE'LL and are furnished cheap, as thu productions
Of other countries. This has for several years
gradually rcOuco0 mo consumption VI lOrel8u NOR.
chsndise, and will continue To operate and, in
nex,on with more healthfu economy will material.
" affect the revenue The estimatss Of receipts from
customs for the ensuing eighteen months have been
framed in reference TO these considerations.
A table has been prepared under my direction,
which accompanies this report CO.. exhibiting the
value Of foreign merchandise imported and re-expor-
ted, from 1891 to l842, and showing the value OF
ticles consumed or left on hand during each year
By comparison of this table with another, q also
hereto annexed, showing the value of merchandise
imported, and the duties accruing thereon for each
wear during the period, il wil be perceived
general result that the duties we the greatest du-
ring the years when the largest amounts Of imported
goods were either consumed or left on hand. A
comparison of these for the several years will afford
a very good idea Of the average consumption of fo-
reign goods, and the balances that must have been
left on hand and will justify The conclusion that the
largest amounts Of duties were founded upon the OK.
cess importation over consumption In other words
that tho regular and steady consumption Of the
,rv aid not furnish the means from which those OK
crsiye revenues were derived. The inference 10 be
drawn from these results is, that we are not to cx-
pcct such amounts Of duties as characterized the
years 1881, 1884, 1895, 1896, md 1899, without the
existence Of the same cause--importations beyond
our wants. And, indeed, q more general inference
NAV be drawn, that without the Intervention Of some
extraordinary causes, which there is now no reason
TO anticipate, we cannot rely upon than very
moderate increase Of duties from customs, bearing
proportion 10 the increase Of population for years to
come.
With view to furnish the information collected
in this Department, respecting the and Auctu.
atoms Of our foreign commerce, in convenient form
for examination and reference, several very valuah
tables have been prepared which annexed to this
report. Among them, besides those already men,
toned is statement Of our exports Of domestic pro-
duce and Of foreign goods distinguishing those SUBJ
ect to duty from those that were free also tables Of
The most important articles imported from those
countries with which have the most intercourse,
designating them respectively; and also, Of our ex-
ports to the same countries There is also table
showing the gross revenue Of each year. the expenses
chargeable upon 1t, and the net proceeds. All these
embrace the period from 1921, when the statistical
reports were first made, to the year l8A2.
The proceeds Of the sales of the public lands have
been estimated from the best elements within reach
The demand for these lands is steady while il is
and excessive rage for purchases which at one time
prevailed II the tide Of emigration should take its
course towards the shores of the Pacific might ma
terially affect the Government sales OF lands. The
tracts set apart to the new States and located by
them, being or likely to be- In the Market will also
have an influence upon the question. These and
other considerations not Of equal magnitude but hav-
ing bearing upon the result have induced the under
signed to doubt whether the receipts from the sales
lands will be equal to the estimates submitted which
have been obtained from the General Land Office,
and are founded upon large purchases being made OF
tracts mat wa. DC brought into the market.
The expenditures for the next eighteen months will
be diminished 10 considerable extent, in consequence
oil tbe dou ION oil the proceeds OF the sales OF pub
he lands having ceased OF no appropriations being
necessary ioi new purchases Of Indian lands, Of var
Gus public buildings, heretofore authorized, being
completed and, it is hoped of the claims of milita
and volunteers being nearly satisfied.
Yet, from present appearances, it seems certain
that the deficiencies above stated will exist during
the present and the next fiscal year They but
iinuances Of similar DEFICIENCIES which commenced
Immediately after the dcpositcs were made with the
States, and have continued for the last seven wears
The accompanying table (C) exhibits the receipts
from the various sources accruing between the LIST OF
January, 1897, and the Both September l843 the ex-
pepdtures exclusive of ma ments for nr;nco.I or In;
lercs of the public debt, those made on that account,
and the actual balances in the Treasury.
1t will be seen that the deficiency has been dmin.