The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1856-12-10

d,,ures, including three million dollars 10 ex-
ecuiion Of the treaty with Mexico, and ex.
cluding Gums paid on account Of the publio
debt, amounted to sixty million one bundled
AID seventy Two thousand four hundred and
one dollars; and, including the latter, 10
seventy two million nine hundred and forty
eish. thousand seven hundred and ninsiy-
two dollars, the payment on this account
having amounted TO twelve million seven
hundred and seveniy-six thousand three
hundred and ninety dollars.
On the 4ih Of March, 1859, the amount Of
the public debt was six,y-nine million ons
hundred and twensy-nne thousand nine hun,
dred aud thirty dollars. There was
subsequent inctease Of Two million seven
hundred snd ffty thousand dollsts for the
y Of Tsxas--making total Of seventy
| one million eight handfsd and seventy ty-nins
| thousand nine hundred and tbiriy-seyen doll
l~ss--- OF ihis The sum of forty five million
ave hundred and twsniy I've thousuud ttrss
hundred and nineteen dollars, including pre-.
MUM, has been discharged, reducing the
debt 10 thirty million seven hundred and
thirty seven thousand one hundred and
twenty-uins dollars oil which might be
paid within year without embauas-
sing the public service, but being not yet
due, and only redeemabIs at the option Of
the holder, cannot be pressed to payment by
the government.
On examining The expenditures of the las,
fivs years, it will be seen that the average,
deducting payments on account Of the pub
lic deb, and ten millions paid by treaty to
Mexico, has been but about forty Eight mil
lion dollars. It is believed that, under an
economical administration of the govern
ment, the average expenditure for the ensu-
ing years will not exceed that sum, unless
extraordinary occasion for lis increase should
occur. The act granting bounty lands will
soon have been executed, while the extern
sion of our frontier settlements will cause
continued demand for lands and Augmented
receipts, probably, from that source. These
considerations will justify reduction of the
revenue from customs, 30 as not to exceed
forty EIGHT or ffy million dollars. I think
The exigsncy of suob reduction 10 imperative,
and again urge il upon the, consideration OF
Congress.
The amount Of reduction, as well as ths
manner Of effectiag il, are questions OF great
and general interest; |, being essential TO in
dus,rial enterprze and The public prosperity,
as we'll as The dictate Of obvious justice, that
the burden Of iaxs,ion be made to rest ss
equally as possible upon all classes, and ali
sections and interests OF the country.
have heretofore Recommended TO your
confederation the revision Of the revsnus
laws, prepared under the direction of the
Secretary of the Treasury, and also lsgisla-
,iou upon some special questions afeeaug-
the business of that department, moro espc.
| cially the enactment of a law 10 punish the
abstraction Of official books or papers from
ike files Of the government, and requiring
all such books and papers and all other pub
lie properly 10 be tuned over BY the out.
going officer TO his successor; of q law rss
| qniring disburslng officers TO deposit all pub
NC money in the vaults OF the treasury Or in
other legal repositories, where lile same are
conveniently accessible; andsa Law TO ex-
tend existing penal provisions % all persons
who may bscome possessed Of public mon-
| ey by deposit OF Otherwise, and who shall
refuse or neglect, on due demand, 10 pay
the same into the Treasury. invite Jour
attention anew TO each of these objects
The army during the past year has been
90 constantly employed agsins. hostile 1ndi-
| ans in various quarters, that il can scarcely
be said, with propisiy Of language, to have
been peace establishment. IFS duties have
been satisfactorily performed, and We have
reason to expect as result of the years op-
erat,ons, greater security to the frontier in-
habnants than has been hitherto enjoyed
Extensive combinations among the hostile
Indians of the Territories Of Washington and
Oregon q. one lime threatened the devasta-
ton of the newiy-formed settlements Of that
remote portion Of The county. From recent
information, We are permitted to hope that
the energetic and successful operations con.
Quoted there will prevent such combinations
l. III aiid bcCuto w shooo AChhsotiso III
opportunity TO nuke steady progress in the
development OF their agricultural and min
eral rssonrcee. 'se .l
Legislation has been recommended to me
on previous occasions 10 cure defects in the
exciting organization, and to increase the ef-
6ciency Of the army, and further observa-
ton has but served 10 confirm me ia the
views then expressed, and to enforce On my
mind the conviction that such measures are
moi only proper but necessary.
| have, in addition, 10 invite the attention
OF Congress TO change Of policy in the dis
tribuiion Of troops, and 10 the necessity of
prosiding mote rapid increase Of the mill
tafy armament For details of these aud
other subjects relating 10 the army, refer to
i he fepor. of the Secretary of War.
4 The condition Of the navy is not merely
/ satisfactory, but exhibits the most gratifying
evidences OF increased vigor. As !, is CONS
para,iveIy small, II is tho more importan
i that il should be AZ complete as possible ID
4 all the elements Of strength that Ii should
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