The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-12-28
Total for the year $50, s53, 597
Average annual expenditure during war 4s,7o53a3


Average annual expenditure during war 4s,7o5aas 50
5,14s,263 81
Here we have more than FIVE millions OF dollars the
excess OF the actual and estimated expenditure of the
rent year the average annual expenditure during the
war. From this fact it would appear that war, when
democrats rule, is economical than peace, when
wings control public affairs. With all respect for
Mr. Corwin, must say that all his ability advo
cate make it appear that the extravagant
penditure Of the administration is justly chageabe 10 the
war with Mexico. Mr. Meredith, when he was the
head of the Treasury Department had every means OF
asceaining the AMOUNT of liability growing out of the
which would be met during the current year. He
estimated those liabilities including interest the debt
the iastalment be paid Mexico and his entire est
mate OF expenditure for the year ending June 30 1851
was S44,997 ,092 70. II will be that Mr. Corwin
exceeds that estimate by ss565o4 IT; and think 1t
will tax his ingenuity TO the utmost to show liabilities to
that Justly chargeabe TO the war. which were
discovered and brought to light between the date OF Mr.
Merediths estimates and his An examination OF a
few corresponding items Of Mr. Merediths and Mr. Cor.
wins estimates will throw light on the subject than
any vague and general estimate Of the liabilities entaied
on the country by the war with Mexico and the acqui.
shon OF territory.
In Mr. Merediths estimate we ind among others, the
following items
Civil list, foreign intercourse, and mis-
cellaneous sil,oss, 724 81
Army proper, &C. 49, s,29s,ls3 a
Notifications, ordnance, arming militia.
&c. 2,0I5.446 90
Indian department l,9l2,7i0 SO
Naval establishment ll,353,l29 81
34o6e,le4 as
The items slated above for the entire fiscal year
commencing July /, 1880, and ending June 80 1851.
Mr. Corwins estimates embrace only the three last quar-
tsn The expenses Of the first quarter, amounting to
% s34s2 co. had already been met ard the returns re-
eeived The items in his report corresponding with
those taken from Mr.. Meredhhs report are as follows
for three quarters Of the fiscal year:
Civil list, foreign intercourse, and mis-
celaneous s13.71s.o94 81
fordaeations. ordnance, arming militia. $3.50 "
Indian department 4.363,S67 81
Naval establishment 9,50S,55 So
3s,e52e0s 0s
Thus II appears that in the Ave items enumerated Mr.
Corwn intends 10 exceed in nine months the estimates
made BY Mr. Meredith for twelve months by the sum OF
el,2s6,7is 90.
But we have said enough with regard to Mr. Cor
WINS attempt to shield the magnitude Of his estimates
aThyink DcioIc COuntty eAudVdEtnt statement
OF the Mexican war liabilities. We will now anaIyze
the process by which he endeavors to make good that
attempt
Mr.. Corwn takes the expenses OF the year ending
June 80, 1915, and, stating the amount to be Sal $780,
o49 so,he calculates the aggregate expense Of the gov
eminent on that basis for years at si4s6eoa45 So
Mr. Corwin then gives ths expenditures, actual and
ssmsed' Tor the seven years commencing July l. Is45
and ending June 80. 1852. He places this aggregate
S2e4.s07,4o7 95
Deducung lac, 860, 345 50
145,I47,062 a.