The New York herald., 1850-01-28
INTELLIGENCE BY THE MALs'
Our Wilmington Correspondence.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 800
The Late Circular of ths Secretary Of me Treasury
The Expenses of Collecting the Reren"e' SC.
promised, in my lettt r Of last evening, to give
you an account of what Is dong, and hke'y 10 De
DONE IN regard To that most extraordinary pubic
document known by The name Of =" Mr.. Merediths
Circular" The nature of thIs singular production
is not yet fully understood and appreciated by our
commercial community; but politicians under
stand very well that Mr.. Meredith, by embarrass.
ing and taxing the merchants, and throwing his
shield over the Office holders in the Custom House,
means 10 accomplish two important objects, viz:
First, to throw the Of MS taxes and delays
on the democratic party in Congress and, second,
10 make himself personally popular with the
government officials IN the large Atlantic cities.
MIR. Meredith, In spite OF the act OF March Sd,
lS49. which restricted the expenses OF collecting
the revenue TO $l,5C0 coo, has expended, during
the first six months of the hscal year ending June
Both, the snug tile sum OF 81, lil, S97 2l. Having
thus anticipated vely large amount OF what was
allowed HIM by law, he was compelled to demand
an additional appropriation from Congress.
The Senate, as you are aware, allowed him the
same amount OF money for collecting the revenue
which was expended In the financial year ending
June 3Oih, lSis. THIS sum is 81, l32,636 13. Now
mark, that resolution OF The Senate passed mem
con, not a single wing Senator saying word on
the subject, except Mr. We bster who, IN his seat,
remarked, :" That's enough"
Why, If it was not enough, did not Mr.. Meredith
confer with his irisnds, Git any such he has,) in
the Senate Why, It he did confer with them,
did he fail TO convince themY Why, If he con-
vinced them, did they remain mute In view OF
the vote OF the Senate, It is sheer balderdash and
nonsense in the hired administration writers 10
cry sboutthe neglect which Mr. Meredlth's pro-
positions meet II both houses.
The sum unanimously conceded by the Senate to be
enough for collecting the revenue being 81 1872 030 10
And MIR. Meredith having
already spent for The nrst
six months, ending Dec.
To which must b. added the
expense Of collecting the
revenue in Or.gop and
California, estipat for
the year at. ........ 10000 90 2s1,s97 FL
IL follows that Mr. Meredith has only. ss40739 So
ezpend for the next months, ending Juue 30th
1850, tor collecting the revenue from customs the
Atlantic coast.
This being rather small sum for so great a
task, the Commiuee OF Ways and Means in the
make himself undo rsrood in the Senate, have
agreed TO give hm one half OF what was expended
for the collection OF The revenue, during the last
six months OF the fiscal year ending June 30, lSiS.
Add to this the ,um MIR Meredith has '''''''O''
already expendsd. d................. 1,1Il,ss7 81
sa,2os us 81
Or s70, $40 so more than was expended by Mr.
Walker, during the fiscal year ending June so,
1913.
This sum was deemed sufficient by the demo-
cratic portion of The Committee Of Ways and
Means, but Mr. VnIUn offered an amendment to
add $50 600 10 that sum- making in all the sum of
S2,35S,2l5 81 pei annum, or S220, $40 more than
were expended for the same purpose in 1913.
IL mistake NOT, the vote On Mr. Vnton's amend
ment stood 4 10 4; but the chairman, Gen Bsyly,
Qf en- rightly ibtormed,) 10 show that no fac
Iious opposition io Mr. Meredith or the adminlstra-
uon GUIDED the acllou Of the committee, voted
with MIR. Vnion, giving The administration every
possible chance To sustain itself, and no excuse Tor
taxing the merchauis, breaking down the revenue
service, and increasing th- tariff 10 protect officials.
The question will probably come up in the course
OF next week, when Mr.. Green, of Missouri, will
probably be able to show that Mr.. Meredith
has not acted IN conformity with the law of
1874 and that, u the were properly stated, the
aCdtional expense 10 which the merchants have
been exposed by hls circulars, illegally col
lecied, and, such. liable 10 be refunded
General Bayly, whose legal professional attain
ments and constitutional learning are not inferior
TO those Of Mr. Mrredith. will, think be able to
show that Mr. Meredith, by his circular, did not
purpose To meet the provision OF the law, but ra-
tber 10 bnng The strongest pressure on Congress,
so as 20 induce To submit To the present high rate
ef collecting he revenue. Mr.. Meredith is doorled
TO be def aied On that poni, as he will be many
others, IT be cCnnuts 10 have fancy for figures,
and il iCnd Of H. cutts OF his department.
The good, conclliaiory spirit in Washington con-
iinres 20 improve, and spread with great rapidity.
II Is astonishing what change IN the cnsis has
been produced wnhm the last three days When
fhe matter shall be settled, To the satisfaction of
the whole country. the Htrdld will be able TO say
that IL has more THAI sny other paper the coun-
try, or more than all of them together, contributed
10 save the Unlon and he constitution.
L. : Mr.. Cahoun's health has much improved.
Col Hsckei, ct Georgia, is stlll dangerously i'll.