Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1853-12-16

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duction of the revenue to the standard
Of the public exigencies. f..s
OF these objects, the first has been
in the course of accomplishment, in
manner and to degree highly salts
factory The; amount of the public
debt of all classes, was, on the fourth
of March, 1858, stxty-nine million one
hundred aud ninety thousand and thir-
! ty-seven dollars; payments on account
Of which have been made since that
period, 10 the amount oftwelve millions
seven hundred and three thousand
three hundred and twenty-nine dollars
leaving unpaid, and in the continuous
course Of liquidation, the sum Of fifty
six million four hundred and eighty
six thousand seven hundred and eight
dollars. 1 These payments, although
made at the market price Of the respec-
tive classes ofstocks have been effect
ed readily, and to the general advan-
tage oftlie Treasury, and have at the
same time ploved of signal utility in
the relief they have incidentally afford
ed tothe money market and to the in
dustrial and commercil pursuits Of the
country 9 ''t ~ ta
The second Of the above mentioned
objects, that Of the reduction of the tar
iff, is OF great importance and the plan
suggested by the Secretary Of the Treas
ury, which is to reduce the duties on
certaiR articles, and to add to the free list
many articles now taxed, and especially
such as enter into Manufactures, and are
not largely, or at all produced in the
country Is commended to your candid
and careful consideration.
You will find in the report Of the Sec
retary of the Treasury, alGo abundant
proof of the entire adequacy Of the pres
ent fiscal S, stem to meet all the require
ments of the public service, and that,
while properly administered, it operates
to the advantage of community in ordi-
nary business relations. 9.t.
respectfully ask your attention 10
sundry suggestins ofimprovemcntsi in the
settlement Of accounts, especially as re-
CARDS the large sums Of outstanding ar
reers due to the government, and OF other
reforms In the administrative action OF
his department, which are indicated by
the Secretary: as also to the progress
made in the construction OF marine hos
pitals, custom houses, and of new
mint in California and assay office in the
city OF New. York, heretofore provided
for by Congress-; and also to the emf
nentiy successful progress of the Coast
Survey, and of the Light house Board.
Among the objects meriting your at
Ftention will be important recommenda-
tons from the Secretarles Of War and
Navy. | am fully satisfied that the na-
wy of the United States is not In con-
dition of strength and efficiency COM
Inehsurdte With the magnitude Of our
commercial aud other interests; and
commend to your especial attention the
suggestions on this subject, made by the
Secretary ofNayy. respectfully sub
NIT that the army, which under our
system. must always be regarded with
the highest interest, Us nucleus around
4 which the volunteer forces Of the nation
ga ther In the hour Of danger, requires
augmentation, or modification, 10 adapt
II TO the present extended limits and
frontierrelations Of the country, and the
condition of the Indian tribes in the in
terror OF the continent; the necessity of
which will appear In the communica-
tions OF the Secretaries Of War and the
Interior.
In the administration Of tho Post.Of-
fee Department for the fiscal year end
( ing June 30, 1853 the gross expenditure
was seyenmillion nine hundred and eighty
two thousand seven hundred and fifty
six dollars; aud the gross receipts, during
tho same period, eve million nine hundred
and lorty.two thousand seven hundred and
thirty-four dollars; showing that the cur
rent revenue faled 10 meot tho current
expenses OF thedepartmen by tho sum OF
two million forty-two thousand and thirty
two dollars. The causes which. under tho
present postal system and laws, led In.
evltably 60 this result, are fully explained
by the report oftho Post master Genor-
all ono great cause being the enormous
rates the dopartmet has boon compelled
To pay for mall services rendrood by
railroad companies. f
Tho exhibit In the report OF the
Postmaster General ofthe income and
expenditures by mail steamers viii be
found peculiarly interesting, and Ola
character % demand the Immediate
attention Of Congress.
Numerous and fagrant frauds upon
the Pension Bureau have been brought
to light within the last year, and in
some instances. merited pnnishments
inflicted; but unfortunately, in othersa
guilty parties have escaped, not thro
/ the want of sufficient evidence TO war.
rant conviction, but in consequence
Of the provisions Of limitation In the
existing laws.
From the nature ofthesc claims, the
rcmoteness of the tribunals topass up
ON them, and the mode in which the
proof is Of necessity, furnished, temp
! tations TO crime have been greatly
stimulated by the obvious difficulties
of detection. The defects in the law
upon this subject are SO apparent, and
SO fatal 20 the ends of Justice, that
your early action relating to il Is most
desirable.
During the last fiscal year nine mi :
lion eight hundred and nineteen thou
sand four hundred and eleven acres of
the public lands have been surveyed,
and ten million three hundred and six
ty-threc thousand eight hundred and
ninety-onc acres brought into market
Within the same period tho sales by
public purchase and private entry
amounted TO one million eighiy-three
thousand four hundred and ninety live
acres, looated under military bounty
\ land warrants, six million ono hundred
and iorty.two thousand three hundred
and sixty acres, located under other
certificates, niue thousand four hum
drcd End twenty seven acres; ccdod to
lhe Statcs as swamp lands, sixteen
million six hundred and eighty IouI
!, thousand two hundred and hlty-throc
81.