Columbia gazette., 1854-01-14

funded. Inc SUBJECT Is commended to
your consideration with the hope that
an expression Of opinion ON the question,
as well as all the important facts in the
case, will be carefully prepared and for
warded to our delegation in Congress.
The great necessity and Importance
Of providing means to liquidate, and as
speedily as possible, the civil debt OF
State, having been urged upon your ear
ly consideration, and measures recon
mended which, if adopted, in compare
lively short period of time, will enable
the agents Of the State to effect that de-
sirable object, permit me to recommend
cooperation on the part of the Lcgisle-
ture, with our delegation in Congress,
in securing the assumption by the Gen
eral Government, in some form, of the
existing war debt, which now amounts
to the sum of $924,259 65.
No provision has, it is true, been
made for the payment of the accruine
interest on the war debt, but the State,
} by solemn acts Of the legislation, stands
pledged for the payment of the whole
amount, principle and interest.
The present, for various reasons, is
regarded as a propitious time to demand
Jnstlce in the premises, at the hands OF
the General Government. In addition
to the fact that there is now large
amount of surplus money in the treasu-
ry OF the nation, and the bright promise
OF future increase, the immense impor-
tance OF the Pacific country to the COM
merce, not only of the Atlantic States,
but of the whole Eastern world-an i'm
portance now universally conceded
cannot fail, it is conceived, to commend
our rights and interests to the immedi-
ate consideration of the General Gov
ernment.
There are, however, many other and
cogent reasons too, why the General
Government should promptly, not only
assume the entire war debt, principle
and interest, but also refund the whole
amount of the civil fund, except, per-
haps. the sum expended in defraying the
expenses Of the Constitutional Conven-
tion, held at Monterey, in September
an October 1S49.
The important fact that California
contributes annually mere to the Ma
tional Treasury, in population than any
any other State in the confederacy, GER
tainly entities her to increased consider
alton in making disbursements from the
national Golfers.
The amount of revenue collected at
the several ports within the State during
the fiscal year ending June 3Oth, 1858,
exceeds two millions three hundred and
fifty thousand dollars, an amount equal
to one-sixteenth Of the whole Govern
ment. And, the receipts of the first
quarter have been so much increased,
as to warrant the belief, that the present
fiscal year, the revenue collected at the
different parts in California. must con-
siderably exceed three millions, being
equal to an annual tax of eleven dollars
and thirty-four cents upon each man,
woman and child, within the limits of
California. The amount thus Indirect
ly collected in the other States of the
Union, averages only two dollars and
thirteen cents to each man, woman and
child.
1t will be seen from the report of the
Comptroller Of State, that he estimates
the expenditures for the fiscal year end
ing the 30th of June, 1854, at nine
hundred and sixty thousand fonr hun
dred and fifty dollars, and ffty-one
cents: This estimate, though regarded
as sufficiently high, is in the aggregate,
only equal to one-third the amount an
nually contributed by the people of Cal
ifornia for the support of the National
Government, and is an average tax of
only three dollars and sixty-three cents
on each man, woman and child within
the State. Whilst State taxation is the
subject of general complaint, as being
exorbitant and oppressive on our people,
not murmur is heard in relation to the
indirect exactions of General Govern
ment, though three fold greater than
the amount collected for State purposes.
This mode Of taxation, although per-
haps, not so apparent as that which is
more direct and collected for the pur-
poses Of State Government, is equally
onerous and oppressive. Great as is the
amount thus annually exacted from the
hard earnings Of our people, for the sup
port OF the General Government, they
have acquiesced in its collection without
murmur, and now feel that they have
claim to increased consideration on the
part Of Congress. Again, it should be
remembered, in the consideration of the
claims which we present, that California,
though the youngest Of the Sovereign
States, annually adds to the wealth of
the nation, about eighty-two millions of
dollars in gold dust, being considerably
more than one half of the whole sum
contributed by the other States.
During the year 1853, the total
amount of exports from the other thirty
States was but s l54 .93l ,l47. as follows:
Cotton $s7, 1865, ,732
Breedstufs, 25,957 ,O27
Other Prod'ts, 29,e57, ,076
Tobacco, .,t,lO,o3l 1888
Rice, @t ,2,470, ,029