The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-12-22

Hey SucCeeu SO tney atone are capable OF mann
tanning and perpetuating the Union. The Fede-
raj Government has its appropriate line of ac-
ton in the specific and limited powers conferred
upon il by the constitution, chiefly as to those
things in which the States have common inter-
est in their relation to one another, 10 foreign
while the great mass of interests
which it behooves us TO Cultivate in the ordinary
business of life, the springs of industry and all
diversified personal and domestic affairs Of soci-
ETY., rest upon the general reserved powers oil the
people of the several States. This is the eiFec-
tive democracy of the nation and these the vital
essence of its being and its greatness. OF the
practical consequences which flow from the ma
ture Of The federal government, the primary fact
is the duty of admisls ering with integrity, fulfill
ing the high trust reposed on us by the consttu-
ton. especially inthe appropriation of the public
funds, as drawn by taxation from the people and
devoted to specific objects Of Congress. Happi-
~, | have no occasion to suggest any radical
changes in the financial policy Of the government
Ours is almost, il not absolutely, the solitary
power in Ohrlstendom having the surplus reve-
nue. drawn from imposts on commerce, therefore,
measured by the spontaneous enterprise and nat
ural prosperity of the country; with such indi
rect relation to the agriculture, manufactures,
and produce of the earth and sea- as to violate no
Constitutional doctrine, and yet vigorously pro-
mote the general welfare.
Neither TO the sources of the public treasury
to the manner of keeping and managing il,
does any grave controversy now prevail; there being
general acquescence IN the isaom Of the present
system. The reports of the Secretary Of the Treas
ury will exhibit in detail the state Of the public treas
my and the condition Of The various branches of the
public service, admins tered by that department of the
government. The revenue OF the country, levied
almost sensiby the payer goes on from wear
year increasing beyond either the present or the
prospective wants oi the guvermcnt AT the close of
the fiscal year, ending june 80, 1852 there remained
in the treasury balance of Sil ,632 ,636. The pub.
ic revenue Tor the fiscal year ending june 80, 1853
amounted TO oS, 93l 500 from customs, and 81 l05
lOo from public lands and other miscellaneous sour
ces, amounting together to SCI 1887 ,574, while the
public expenditures Tor the same period, exclusive Of
payments on account Of the public debt amounted to
: $4,000, 262, leaving balance of 49, ,425,4i7 Of
receipts above expenditures This fact OF increas-
ing surplus in the treasury, became the subject of
anxious consideration AT very early period of NV
administration and the path of duty in regard to it
seems 10 obyio,.s and clear, viz: first, TO apply
the surplus revenue to the discharge of the public
debt, IA, it could judicou>ly be done and sec
ondy, to devise measures for the gradual reduction
OF the 10 the standard Of the public exigcn-
cies. Of these objects the FIRST has been in course
accomplishment in a manner and to a degree highly
satisfactory. The amount Of the public debt OF all
classes was, on the fourth of March, 1853 500 $780,
O37, payment on accounts Of which have been made
since that period to the amount of Sl2, 7O3 $50
leaving unpaid and in the continuous course of iiuud-
alton the sum OF S56, 4S6, 70S. These rayments
although made at the market price of the respective
classes Of stocks have beea affected readily and TO
The general advantage OF the treasury and have M
'he same time proved Of the required utility in the
relief they have Incidentally afforded 10 the money
market and to the industrial and commercial interests
Of the country. You will find in the report Of the
Secretary Of the Treasury also, abundant proof Of
the entire adequacy Of the present fiscal system To
meet all the requirements Of the public service. and
that when properly administered it operates to the
advantage OF the community in ordinary business
relations. respectfully ask your attention to sundrv
suggestions OF Improvement IN the settlement Of &C
counts. especially as regards the large sums Of out
standing accounts Cue The government, and Of other
reforms in the administrative action of his de,a,t-
ment which indicated by the Secretary; and also
to the progress made in the construction Of ma, inc
hospitals custom houses and of new mint in Cali
lorna. and assay Offices in the city Of New York,
heretofore provided for hy Congress- and also To the
emnenty successi, progress Of the Coast Survey and
OF the Light House Bo:,,J.
Among the objects needing your attention ~ III
be important Recommendations from the Secteia-
res of War and Navy. am fully satisfied that
the Navy Of The United States is not in ii condi-
ton OF strength and efficiency commensurate
with the commercial and other interests and
commend to your especial attention the suggcs-
ions on this subject made by the Secretary OF the
Navy. respectfully submit that the army, which
under the present state must always be regarded
with the highest interest "A nuceus around
which the volunteer force of the nation gather IN
the hour OF danger, requires an aug,ncn MIA ion nd
modification to adapt 1t TO The present extended
limits and frontier relations of the coun'rv, and
the condition Of Indian tribes in the interior of
The con,lnt mt, the necessity of which will an
pear IN the communication of the Secretary or
War and Of the Interior
In the administration Of the Pest Office Derart-
ment for the fiscal year ending June 80. 1853, the
gross expenditure was 1882, 756; and the gross
receipts during the same period S5,942, 1874
showing that the current revenue failed 10 meet the
current expenses Of the Department by the sum Of
S2,O42, O32. The causes which led inevitab!, To
the result fully explained in the Report of the
Postmaster General; one great cause being the enor.
nous rates the Department has been compelled to
pay Tor mail service rendered BY Railroads The ex-
hb't in this report Of the Postmaster General of the
income and expenditures by mail steamers will be
found peculiarly interesting, and Of character TO de-
'nand the immediate action of Congress
Numerous and fragrant frauds upon the Pension
Bureaus have been brought to Iigh, within the las,
) car, ana IN some instances, meled punishment has
been inflicted, but fortunately in others guilty. rar-
Tres have escaped not through the OF sufficient
evidence to warrant coEviciion hut in cons eulen nee
OF the provisions Of limitation in the existing laws
From the nature of these claims, the renoteuess of
the tribunals to pass upon them, and the mode in
which the proof of necessity furnished temptations
to crime have been greatly stimulated by the OBJ, ous
difficulties Of detection. The defects in the law upon
this subject apparent ard so fatal TO the ends of
justice that your early action relating to it, is most
Daring the last fiscal year, ,s19 All acres of the
rub'c lands have been surveyed and 10 003 S91 ac,es
brought into market Within the same period. the
sales by public purchase and private outlay amounted
to l,0S3,49O acres; located under military bounty
land warrants, 6,l423G0 acres; located under other
certificates. ,427 acres; coded TO the States as swamp
lands, i66S4,253 acres; selected for railroads and
other objects under act of Congress- 421 40 acres
total amount of land disposed of within the fiscal
year, 2o,3i6 992 acrrs, which is an increase in the
quantity sold, and 10 ated under land warrants and
grants Of Congress, 1921 ,SlS acres orr the fiscal
year immediately proceeding. The quantity of lard
sold during the second and third quarters Of 1852,
was 33i, i5l acres. The amount received therefor
was S623,6S7. The quantity sold the second and
third quarters Of 1858 was 500 $40 acres, and the
amount received therefor, S2,226,s76. The whole
number OF land warrants issued under the existing
laws prior TO the Both of September last was 266 042
OF which there was outstanding at that date Go 1851
The amount OF land required to satisfy the outstand
ing warrants is AIS, l20 acres. Warrants have