Weekly national intelligencer., 1854-12-09


than to protest against the contemplated lombard
No steps any taken by the people to
give the satisfaction required No individuals, if any
there who regarded themselves not responsible
for the misconduct Of the community adopted any
to separate themselves from the fate Of the guilty.
The several charges which the demands for redress
founded had been publicly known all for some
time, and again announced to them They did not
deny any Of these charges they offered explanation
nothing in extenuaton Of their conduct but contuma-
ciously refused to hold any intercourse with the
mander Of the "Cyane." BY their obstinate silence
they seemed rather desrous provoke chassemen than
to escape It. There ample believe that this
conduct of wanton defiance their part is impuable
chiefly the deusive idea that the American Govern
ment would be deferred from furnishing them through
fear of displeasing formidable foreign Power which,
they presumed think, looked with complacency upon
their aggressive and insulting department towards the Uni
ted States. The "Cyane" at length fired upon the town.
Before much injury had been done the fire twice
pended in order TO afford opportunity for arrange
ment; but this declined Most of the buildings OF
the place, Of little value generally were, in the sequel
destroyed; but owing to the conderate precautions
taken by naval commander, there destruction
of life.
When the "Cyane was ordered to Central America II
was confidently hoped and expected that occasion
would arise for resort to violence and destruction OF
property and loss of fe" Instructions to that effect
given to her commander. And extreme act would
have been requisite had not the people themselves by
their extraordinary conduct in the affair." frustrated all
the possible mild measures for obtaining satisfaction.
trey defeated would under the circumstances in which
the commander of the Cyane found himself have been
absolute abandonment Of all claim Of citizens for in
Identification and submissive acquiescence in national in
dignity would have encouraged in these lawless
spirit of insoence and rapne most dangerous to the
lives and property Of citizens at Punta Arenas and
probably embodened them grasp the treasures and
valuable merchandise continually passing over the Mica
ragua route certainly would have been most satsfae
tory to me If the objects of the Cyanes mission could
have been but
the arrogant contumacy Of the offenders rendered it i'm
possible to avoid the alternative either to break their
establishment or to leave them impressed with the idea
that they might persevere with impunity in of
insolence and plunder
This transaction has been the subject ofcompnt the
OF some foreign Powers and hos been
with more of harshness than of justice comparisons
to be instituted it would not be difficult to present
repeated instances in the history of States standing in
the very front of modern civilization where communities
far less offending and defenoeless than Greyown,
have been chastised with much greater severity and
where not cities only have been laid in ruins but human
life has been reckessy sacrificed and the blood of the
innocent made profusey to minge with that Of the guilty
Passing from foreign to domestic affairs your attention
is naturally directed to the financial condition of the
try, always subject of general interest For complete
and exact information regarding the finances, and the
branches of the public service connected Herewith
refer you the report Of the Secretary of the Treasu
ry from which it will appear that the amount of revenue
during the last fiscal year. from all sources seventy
three million five hundred and forty mine thousand
hundred and FIVE dollars and that the public expenditures
for the period exclusive of payments of
the public debt amounted to ftyone million eighteen
thousand two hundred and fortynn dollars During the
period the payments made in redemption of the
public debt including interest and premum amounted to
twentyfour million three hundred and thrtysix thousand
three hundred and eighty dollars To the sum total Of
the receipts Of that year to be added balance remain
in the Treasury at the thereof amount
ing to twenty-one million nine hundred and forty-two
thousand eight hundred and ninetytwo dollars; and
the close of the same year balance amount
ing to twenty million one hundred and thirty thou
sand nine hundred and sixty seven dollars of receipts
above expenditures also remained in the Treasury. Al
though in the opinion of the Secretary of the Treasury
the receipts of the current fiscal year not likely to
equal in amount those Of the last yet they will undcubt
edy exceed the of expenditures by ateast fifteen
millions of dollars SHALL therefore, continue to direct
that the surplus be applied, far it be
udciousy and economically done to the reduction of the
public debt the amount of which, at the commencement
Of the last fiscal year. sxtyseyen million three hun
dred and forty thousand six hundred and twentyeigt
dollars of which there had been paid the twentieth
day of November 1854, the of twenty-five million
three hundred and sixyfye thousand hundred and
seventy-two dollars; leaving balance Of outstanding
public debt Of only forty million nine hundred and
seventy five thousand four hundred and fysx dollars,
redeemable at different periods within fourteen years.
There also remnants of other Government stocks most
of which already DUE and which the interest has
ceased but which have not yet been presented for pay
ment, amounting to two hundred and thirty thou
sand one hundred and seventynine dollars This state
exhibits the fact that the annual income Of the Gov
ernment greatly exceeds the amount Of it's public debt
which latter remains unpaid only because the time of pay
ment has not yet maured and it cannot be discharged at
once except at the option Of public creditors who prefer
retain the securities of the United States and the other
fact not less striking, that the annual from all
exceeds by many millions of dollars, the amount
needed for prudent and economical administration of
the Government.
The estimates presented to Congress from the differ
en Executive Departments at the last session. amounted
to million four hundred and six thousand five
hundred and eghtyone dollars and the appropriations
made to the of ffy-eght million hundred aud
sixteen thousand nine hundred and fifty eight dollars
OF this Of appropriations estimates however,
more than twenty millions applicable to extraordina
ry Objects having reference TO the usual annual ex
penditures Among these objects embraced ten mill
lions to meet the third article of the treaty between the
United States and Mexico that, in fact for objects
Of ordinary expenditure, the appropriations limited
to considerably less than forty millions Of dollars
therefore my Recommendation for reduction of
the duties imports The report of the Secretary Of
the Treasury presents series Of tables showing the ope
ration the system for several successive years.
and the general principle Of reduction of duties with
view to and not protection may be regard
ed thesettcd policy of the country, trust that little
difficulty will be encountered in settling the details of
measure to that effect.
in the laws which experience has shown be
senta to the protection of the Government There is
express provision Of law requiring the records and papers
Of public character ef the several officers Of the Gov
ernmen to be left in their Offices for the of their
cessors any provision declaring it felony their part
to make false entries in the books return false
In the absence of such express provision by law the out
going officers in many instances, have claimed and exer
cised the right to take into their possession mpo
Aa.A f.A1o . $3.50 Atxs