The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-12-07

alM
The disorder felt in money matters grows Out OF
the failure many OF these banks and the enraiment oil
the circulation and discounts OF others which, In the last
six months have reached forty fifty millions of dol
and part Of the effects produced by the large
imports and in part out of the want OF confidence between
lender and borrower 1t cannot be attributed 10 the snip
ment Of gold and silver which is nothing but eohSe
quence growing out of these causes
The Independent treasury has been administered IN
strict accordance with the provisions of the law In al re-
specs stated in my former report There mas peen o
no difficulty in its operation in complying with any OF
the provisions Of the law The opening the Oh
flee at Washington and the offices of the several
and public deposaries as places OF dePose o
the discussing agents of the has been aehueu
with signal success aud resulted in great advantage 10 'nc
executive departments and the disbursing agents
The table 49, which accompanies this report SHOWS ihe
growth of the deposte system the number OF dsbushg
agents who depoe with the places and amount OF depos
tie at different periods 1t will be seen that IN September
these deposites exceeded S35OO000 whilst all discussing
agents who could have not awaited themselves OF the prv
ege and many dsbursng agents could not do SO because
there depostres convenient TO their locauon
The returns these deposes furnish the means of as
ceranng the operations of discussing agents. and whether
the funds kept in readiness to meet the appropriations
whilst upon the removal resignation or death OF as
bursting agent the depose once into the
United States treasury and to the credit OF the depostor
without the procrasnaton caused by having to await
settlement by the agent administration and can at
once be applied to the purposes of the appropriation
through another agent
The money thus depose as safe and secure as that
in the treasury and is without risk to the depostor and
it right the and not the discussing agent
should be at the expense and risk of keeping the public
money until actually disbursed.
II is to be regretted that all dsbursing agents conye
nienty situated have awaited themselves OF the right
deposte because it furnishes cause OF mstrust as to
strict compliance with the law both in respect to the de-
poste and of the public money and does not give the
United States the benefit of promptly obtaining the amount
discussed upon the removal resignation or death OF
the incumbent
The work on the coast survey continues to make good
progress the appear to have been carefully and
economically used If the work shall have the continued
1 fin 1pcta
most reliable knowledge will be obtained of our extensive
and of all harbor to the great advantage OF our
navigation and commerce. The work is recommended to
the consideration of Congress- with the belief that no
convenient time will be found for its continuance and
completion, able corps of officers to which it
can be confded.
The report of the lighthouse board no 81 also
panes this report and referred to tor the detailed ope
raons for the past The business has been promptly
and faithfully attended to in all its branches and the
tenn made efficient the time and means would allow;
and it recommended to the continued favor OF Congress
in order that increased facilities may be given to navga
ton in all its branches and connexions
Under the appropriation of $4,000 for continuing the
system of protecting human life from shpwreck the
New Jersey coast and $4,000 appropriated without spec
fcaon (which the department has thought advisable to
expend the coast Of Long lsland) Mr. S. G. Durham
appointed for the New Jersey coast and Mr.. j. n.
Scheinger for the Long Island coast with instructions to
examine existing stations and report what would be need
ed to put them perfect state and to select
stations to make the stations each coast five in
stead of ten miles apart.
in building the houses at the stations and providing
the articles required fer them and the old ones and the
additional boats have been built and being shipped to
| the stations
Under the appropriation of 500 for locating boats
different points Lake Michigan boats have
been purchased and sent the places indicated in the
Boats for the two remaining points will be purchased and
sent persons can be found to take the
Of them for which purpose the necessary inquiries
now being instituted.
The late melancholy disaster to the ship New Era has
shown the nadequacy of the morars heretofore used for
throwing lines to vessels in Distress and establishing
communication between the wreck and the shore Expert
ments are now being made with view of providing a
mortar mounted and capable of throwing ball and line
the requisite distance The appropriations will not be su
cen place all the stations in entirely effective
dition.
The report mo 3s) from Captain A. H. Bowman of the
houses marine hospitals &C. which accompanies this gives
information in detail Of a that has been done towards the
completion of those under the direction of this department
since the date of last report and of the working of the
system of operations affords all necessary information
upon that subject The attention of Congress particular
called to that part of the report which relates to the
cusom-house being built at New Orleans 1t satisfactorily
appears that the foundation is not sufficient for the weight
and character of the supesrucure specified in the plan
according to which Congress has directed it to be built
and that there is urgent necessity to modify the plan and
remedy the evil far practcable and modification Of
the plan, indicated by Capt Bowman, is recommended
The attention of Congress also called to the report of
Capt Bowman upon the site for cusomhouse Detroit;
and is recommended for the stated by him. that
authority be given to sell the present lot and purchase
The department has selected its sites for the custom
houses at New Haven Connecticut; Burlington, Vermont
Oswego New York Toledo and Sandusky, Ohio Chi
cago, Illinois; Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Wheeling Vr-
gnia in accordance with tho report of Capt Bowman No.
49, accompanying this he having been to examine the
sites offered in the several cities and confer with the
missoners and others upon the subject and steps
being taken to obtain the titles with view to early action
in having the buildings constructed.
The table No. 40 exhibits the sites and prices agreed
to be paid in the several cities No report made the
site at Buffalo, New York. Cincinnati Ohio and Burlng
has not been time for information from New Orleans since
instructions issued to obtain offers for site for the
marine hospital there
The department having learned of embexzlement o.
bullion by of the officers at the mint at Phiadephis
determined to have the mint and of business nyes
ter security of its operations Messrs Richard Smith and
j. G. Pickett appointed for that purpose copy of
the letter of appointment mo and their report
pany this with copy of the regulations which the
Director Of the Mint has adopted with the sanction of this
department. for the of the mint and branches
They submitted to Congress for such additional legs
laton Us the circumstances may seem to require.
The condition of the mint at Philadelphia as TO snfety
depository and security from fire, examined by
Capt Bowman under the direction of this department
His report No 42 accompanies this, and states the
cessty of giving the greater security mint and
submitted for the alterations and also for improving
the vaults Of the Treasury building at Washington.
In Capt Bowman's general report it is stated that the
appropriation for the repairs OF the branch mint at New
Orleans is not sufficient to make it thoroughly freproof
and secure mint and depository, and estimates are
submitted for that purpose The attention Of Congress is
called TO the condition of the mint at Philadelphia and of
the branch mint at New Orleans and of the vaults in the
treasury and such appropriations recommended will
make them hreproo and perfectly safe The proprey of