The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-12-22

prlvateers and regulating then conduct ap-
pear not 10 have been observed, and as these
| commissions are in blank, 10 be filled up with
| the names Of citizens and subjects of all ma
| lions Who may be willing TO pure base them.
the whole proceedings can only be construed
| as an invitation TO all the freebooters upon
earth, who are willing to pay for the privilege.
| to cruise against American commerce. 1t
| will be for our courts of justice to decide
| whether, under such circumstances, these
Mexican letters Of marque and reprisal shall
protect those who accept them, and commit
robberies upon the high seas under their au-
thoriiy, from the pains and penalties Of pira-
cy.
IL the certificates of naturalization thus
granted be intended by Mexico to shield
Spanish subjects from the guilt and punish
ment OF pirates, under our treaty with SPAIN
they will certainly prove unavaillng. Such
subterluge wOnld be but weak device to
defeat the provisions Of solemn treaty.
| recommend that Congress should imme-
diatcly provide by law for the trial and pun
| ishment as pirates of Spanish subjects who,
escaping the vigilance Of their government,
shall! be found guilty Of priyateering against
the United States
do mol apprehend serious danger from
these prvdteers. Our navy will he constantly
on the alert to protect our commerce. Be-
sides, in case prizes should be made Of Ameri-
can vessels, the utmost vigilance will be ex-
erted by our blOckadins squadron TO prevent
the captOrs from taking them into Mexican
ports, and it is not apprehended that any ma
lion will violate its neutrality by suffering
such prizes to be condemned and sold within
its jurisdiction.
recommend that Congress should imnIe-
dIately provide by law Tor granting letters
OF marque and repTisal against vessels under
the Mexican flag. II is true thai there are
but few, ifany, commercial vessels of Mexi-
co upon the high seas; and ii is.
therefore, not probable that many
| American privateers would he hiIed OUT, III
case law should pass authorizing this mode
of warfare. 1t is, notwithstanding. certain
that such privatcers may reuder good service
10 the commercial interests of the country
by recapruring our merchant ships, should
any be taken BY armed vessels under the
Mexican flag, as well as by capturing these
vessels. Every mcanswilhin our power should
lie rendered available for the protection Of oul
commerce.
The annual report OGthe Secretary Of the
Treasury will exhibit detailed statement 81
the condition oil the finances. The imports
Tor The fiscal year ending on the thirtieth ol
June last were of The value Of one hundred
aud Nv enty -one Him six hundred aud nine
ty-seven dollars Of which the amount cx
ported was eleven million three huudTed anC
lorty-six thousand six hundred and twenty
three dollars, leaving the amount retained ~
The country for domestic consumption Ont
hundred andfcn millions three hundred and
fOrty-fve thousand one hundred and seventy
four dollars.
The valne of the exports for the same year
was Sll3. 4S0,5I6, Of which SlO2,l .e9a
consisted ofdomesIic productions, aud 81 =
$50 23 of foreign articles.
The receiI tsinto tie treasury for the same
year were twenty mine millions four hundred
aud niuety-nine thousand Two hundred aUd
forty -seven dollars aud six ceDts Of which
there was derived from customs tweDiy-siN
million seven hundred and twelve thousand
six hundred and sixty-seven dollars and
cighty-seven cents, from sales OF public
lands two million six hundred and ninety five
thousand four hundred aud fifty two dollars
and fOrty-eight cents, and from IncIdeptal and
miscellaneous SOURCES ninety two thousand
aud one hundred aud tweny-slx dollars and
seven ty-oEe cents.
The expenditures for the same period were
twenty EIGHT million thirty thousand one
humid CT and fourteen dollars and twenty cts.
and the balance in the treasury on the iirsl
day of July last wa s nine million one hun
bred and twenty six thousand four hundred
and thirty mine dollars and eish cents.
The amount ofIhe public debt. including
treasury notes. tut tic first Of the present
month was twenty four million two hundred
and ifiy-six thousand and four hundred aud
ninety four dollarssind sixty cents; OF wbIch
the sum Of seventeen million seven hundred
and lightweight thousand seven hundred "
ninety nine dollars anu sixIy-twO ce IFS was
outstanding on the fourth OF March, 1873,
leaving the amount incurred since that Time
six million four hundred and sIxiy-seveD
thousand six hundred and nIuery-iour dol
lars and ninety eight cents.
In order 10 prosecute the war with Mexico
with vigor and energy, as The best means OF
bringing it 10 Il speedy and honorable ter
ninaIion, further loan will be necessary. I"
meet the expenditures Of the present and The
fiscal years. IL the war should be continued
until the thirtieth ofJune, lS4S-being the
end OF the merit fiscal year-it is estimated
that an additional loan of tweniy-three mil
ioEs of dollars will he required. This estl-
mdle Is maze upon tne dsSuPuo" uldt u WIN
be necessary TO retain constantly in the
treasury four millions of dollars, 10 guard
sainst contingencies.
II such surplus were not required 10 be re
:ained, then loan OF nineteen millions oil
dollars would be sufficient. II: however
Congress should, al the present session, I'M
pose a revenue duty on the principal articles
now embraced in the Tree list, il is estimated
that an additional annual revenue OF about
Two millions and hall, amounting, il is esIl
mated, on The thiriieth oil June. 1913, TO four
millions Of dollars, would be derived from
that source; and the loan required would
be reduced by that amount.-lt is estimated:
also, that should Congress graduate and re-
duce the price Of such oil the public laads as
have been long in market, the additional rev.
enue derived from that source would be an
nually, for several years TO come. between
half million and million ofdOllars; and
the loan required may be reduced by thai a.
mount also.
Should these measures be adopted, The |
loan required would not probably exceed
eiphteen or nineteen millions of dollars |