The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-03-23

exceed the estimate, as it has done here
tofore.
TO what extent the Quartermaster's esti-
mates were reduced at the suggestion Of the
Secretary, am not able precisely to state
1t is stated, however, by Senator near me,
(Nlr. Clarke, of Rhode Island) upon infor-
nation said to be derived from that officer,
and communicated by him to the Committee
of Ways and Means of the House, that seven
millions more will be required in that De
partment alone, over and above the amount
of the estimates submitted Ia US for the ensu-
lug fiscal year. If this be true, the addition
which made to the Secretary's estimate of
expenditure for that year, ($7,OOO:ooO,) and
which seems to excite the surprise of gentle
men on the other side will be required for
the service of that Department alone.
1t will be perceived, however, that l add
that sum for the whole excess in every branch
of expenditure, over and above the Score
tArys estimates. The considerations upon
which my estimate of this deficiency is based
are these
First. The expenditures of the current
year, as now ascertained, will exceed the pre-
vious estimate of the Secretary by the sum Of
thirteen Millions exclusive Of the S10,0G1 ,S44
now asked for, OF which at least seven mill
ions are to cover an expenditure Gas ! have
already shown,) over and above the amount
Of the Secretaly's present estimate In this
calculation the expenditure Of the current
fiscal year will exceed the original estimate
by twenty millions Of dollars.
The estimates for the coming year are in
creased, exclusive of payments on account Of
the public debt, only about eight millions
above the estimates furnished us at the last
session, for tie current year, which will leave
a deficiency for the coming year, if the cX-
penditure Of that year should equal that OF the
present, of twelve millions Of dollars Lave
reduced it 70 seven. 1t requires TO spirit of
prophecy to foresee that, at the next session
of Congress, we shall be called upon for fur
Their appropriations to the extent Of at least of
ten millions Of dollars.
But will your expenditure &c less for the
coming than for the current year? You
propose a more extensive plan Of operations;
to add thirty thousand men to your military
ent to occupy the whole Mexican
territory; TO spread your armies ike the
locusts of Egypt over that whole republic,
and like the locusts of Egypt to bring them to
submission by eating up their substance; not
merely to discomft her armies in the field,
but to displace her whole government and
civil arrangements and, in the language Of
the honorable chairman of the Committee on
Military Affairs, to occupy ard retain all her
positions, military and political. Will your
expenditures be diminished? Upon what
principle, then, is it that we are furnished
with an estimate for the coming year, which
falls from ten to twelve millions short of the
ascertained expenditure of the present.
add the seven millions, therefore, TO cover
the undertaking Of expenses actually esti-
mated for in the first place,
In the second place l include in that sum
a variety Of contingencies not estimated for
and not susceptible of previous estimation
Such as the loss and destruction Of military
stores, provisions, and other property by the
ordinary modes of destruction as we'll as the
casualties of var. The Commssary Of Sub
;istcnce tells us, in giving the causes of the
deficiency in his department for the current
year, that lowing TO the nature Of the eli
nate Of Mexico and the imperfect store hous-
IS, (the articles of subsistence being periSha-
be- much has been lost from decay aud
wastage, and also from wrecks during trans
)ortation."
Thirdly. No estimate is made for the COM
mutation of land bounties by the reception of
money instead of land at the option of the
older, authorized by the act giving bountics
o your. soldiers. This item is not susceptible
If accurate estimation.
Fourthly. There is no estimate for pen
ions to your wounded and disabled soldiers;
n item of no uncomfortable magnitude
low many pensioners are to be bilited on the
Treasury, as one of the fruits Of this war, no
nan can tell.
And, lastly, take into consideration the
Il ~ o;+;zo,. Co.,
endered, property taken or lost, contracts
Utilized, &c. which cannot be estimated or
Those who are familiar with
he expenses growing out Of the Seminole
,ar can form some conception of what may
C expected from this source.
Now, sir, am right or wrong in adding this
an of seven millions to the estimates Of ex-
for the coming year in view Of
lcsc considerations?
But this is not all. This bill proposes to
Use ten additional regiments. The cXpcn-
IS of this force is not included in the Scrre-
RVS estimates What will hey cost? Sir,
am not enough of a military man TO deter
inc with precision. find that the pay and
bsistence Of regiment amounts to about
70 hundred and fifty thousand dollars per
mum. The additional expenses Of clorhing
i'll probably carry the sum up to three hun
ed thousand dollars. The bounics for enc
ousand men amount to $4,000, and tie
penses of recruiting to about the same
he cost of raising a regiment and transport
y it to the scene Of action will not, in my
inion, fall short Of one hundred thousand
liars. This gives you an expenditure Of
If hundred thousand dollars for a regiment
the year, or four millions in the aggre-
tn for the troons IN he raised by this bill