Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-12-24

rect estimate " the amount that will be reqnir.
ed TO repenish them, but we should think -four
or live millions would be low figure for the pur-
pose--wc will say only the former
Sixshly. Not less than ten thousand 1--WE have
hear'l OF much larger estimates) have fallen by
battle or disease, or been wounded in the prog-
rcss Of this war The families Of al those who
are dead, aud the surviving wounded, arc ali en-
titled 70 pensions What the amount of this
pension list will be, Il is impossible TO say. brit
that for the revolutionary army, though passed
forty years after he icar, and embracing only the
then living survivors, or surviving members Of
officers or soldien' families, amounted, at one
period, 10 three millions Of dollars per annum.
We do not believe the pension list for the Mex
lean war, if Il were Hoir 10 b. closed, would be
less thnn two millions per annum; a considera-
bic portion OF which will be payable for forty
to nifty years to come, and, on an average Of the
whole, for nj least twenty years, making an ng-
dollars.
We will not say anything Of the amount thus
far collected at the cussoni-honses in Mexico and
BY military contributions, which, the President
says, exceeds 100000. as we shall probably be
told that is not furnished by the people OF the
United States, but comes from the pockets Of
the enemy, though il would not be difficult to
prove that large portion of il has been paid by
our own citizens and army in Mexico, who have
been the great consumers Of the most heavily
taxed articles.
Besides. this fund seems 10 be kind Of sprivy
purse" which the administration, 30 far as we
can judge, docs not intend Congress shall meddle
with, nor have any control over, and It is sha,
may be called private pocket money, though we
presume 1t has been expended towards the OBJ
iects OF the war. The Hnonni, 20 far as can be
judged from the outflvings of the "Union," s
probably not far from 81 800 900.
Neither shall we include the value aud eonse-
quent loss TO the nation OF the labor OF 20 to
10000 citizens FOR eighteen months, which even
at a low rate Of day wages, would be some ] or
si5.OOO,0O0.
To give some idea Of the cost Of the war, up
to the present time, we make the following reca-
pitulaiion of the preceding statements.
The increase Of the public debt,
ngrceably to the statement of the
President, has been S27,s70,s59
The surplus in the Treasury, at the
commencement of hostlities was $4,000. 900
The additional surplus tina, would
have accumulated up to this time,
under peace establishment and
expenditure, 100000
The further extra surplus that would
have also accumulated, under the
operation of the Tariff Of is4G,
agrccahly 20 the Presidents state
ment, OF more than 5000. 900
The Bounty lands to the volunteers, 5000. 600
The arrearages for pay due the ar
my and volunteers, and for sup
plies, contracts, damages, &C., I2,OO0, 900
The sum required to replenish our
:, arssnAls, 100000
The Pension Lisf, estimated on the
average duration OF twenty years
OF life to the wounded and fami-
lies Of the dead, ,eo millions per
aHnum, 10000, 900
Making grand total OF SI2s,s7O, $50
Thus have we furnished what we consider an
important document, Ito accompany the Prcsi-
dent's Messagc.'--M j. Express.