Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-12-10
whole in part by steam has claimed the attention Of
the Department

Wnoe OF IN part by steam mas CLAIMED the attention
the Department
1.-THE supervising inspectors all in due time ap
pointed as also the local boards provided in the act
They entered the discharge of the duties spe
ched in the act and have been arduousy engaged in Civ
ing it full effect There will not have been years expe
rence under its full operation until about the list Jun
next but so far its operation has been highly favorable
and gives to hope that better security both
life and property, steamyessels, will be the result
its faithful and Tgilant execution"
The attention of Congress is called to the Louisville
and Portland Canal in regard to which the Secretary
says:
The ten thousand shares of capital stock in that com
pany under the provisions Of the act Of the Legislature
OF Kentucky have been reduced to 72 of which 80.
belong to the United States and $40 to individuals
These $40 shares win be reduced by the earnings of the
canal for the year 1853 of which the company will fur
nish report and the earnings Of 1854 will complete the
purchase and leave the United States the sole stakeholder
and proprietor of the canal and entitled to possession
it on complying with the condition of the act Of Ken
lucky under which the private stock has been purchased
That condition requires that more tolls shall be col
ected than will be sufficient to keep the canal in repair
ay the necessary cost Of superintendent and custody
and make all the improvements needed fully to
the purpose of its establishment and to protect and guard
the interests Of commerce An appropriate act is wanted
at the present session to provide for the superintendent
Of the canal and the carrying out of the provisions Of
the act of the Legislature Of Kentucky in order to make
the canal Free as far as practicable to the commerce OF
the Ohio"
The debt due to the creditors of Texas is thus alluded
to in the report:
Attention also called to the So OOO 0O0 balance Of
the $lOOOOOO0 agreed to be given to Texas in the set
Element of the boundary of New Mexico and yet is
sued but retained under the proviso the boundary
bill The late Administration decided that all the stock
of Texas mentioned in that provso must first be released
to the United States before the stock could be issued
and the present Administration determined disturb
that decision The consequence is that the creditors of
Texas remain unpaid although many willing to file
their stock and release all claim on the United States
and receive the proportion of the 900 accorded to
them by Texas while the United States with abundant
to pay cannot do So and the debt remains liable
to claim for interest," which, under the act, could not
well be refused
The report states that the Treasury building does
afford sufficient for the accommodation of the clerks
Of the Department.
The land Office belonging to the Department of the
Interior is accommodated in the building to the
cusion Of part of the clerks Of the Third Auditor and
all the clerks of the First and Fifth Auditors The
ment in the Treasury Building have been found
damp and unhealthy to make proper to rent build
ing and remove part of the clerks of the Third Auditor
from the basement The Fifth Auditor and his clerks have
been accommodated in the building occupied by the State
Department but the Secretary requiring the for
his own clerks requested the removal of the Fifth Audi
tor and his clerks and building rented and that
officer removed to it. The rented buildings not as
safe for the records the OF the Treasury Build
ing and there great inconvenience in having part of
the clerical force out of the building and beyond mme
date control"
The Secretary next invites attention to the acts Of Con-
gress giving authority to rent warehouses and other
buildings for the Of the houses and suggests
that the authority contract for the renting of such
buildings for long periods if it really exists should be
modified and restricted.
The report concludes by stating that the resolution
of January 49, 1853 requiring the Secretary of the
Treasury to have prepared and submitted the Senate
at its present session. general law with
Of supersedng all existing laws upon the subject has
claimed the Secretarys attention and that pro-
gress has been made in the work. which it is expected
will be presented in whole part during the session.
and in time for the consideration of Congress.