Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-12-11


ment.
During the last fiscal year the receipts from
customs were, for the first time, more than
sixty four million dollars, and from all sources,
seventy hree millions nine hundred and eight.
teen thousand one hundred and forty one dol
lars, which, with the balance on hand up TO
the lst of July, 1859 made the total resources
of the year to amount to ninety two millions
eight hundred ana fifty thousand one hundred
and seventeen dollars. The expenditures, in
K Guiding three million dollars in execution of the
treaty with Mexico, and excluding sums paid
on account of the public debt, amounted TO six
ty million one hundred and seventy-two thou
sand four hundred and one dollars and, inclu-
ding the latter, to seventy two million nine hum
dred and forty eight thousand seven hundred
and ninety two dollars, the payment on this
account having amounted to twelve million
seven hundred>end seventy six thousand three
hundred and ninety dollars.
On the 4th of March, 1853, the amount of
the public debt was sixty-nine million one
hundred and twenty-nine thousand nine hun
dred and thirty-seven dollars. There was a
subsequent increase of two million seven
hundred and fifty thousand dollars for the
debt of Texas-making total of seventy
one million eight hundred and seventy nine
thousand nine hundred and thirty-seyen dol
lars. OF this sum of forty FIVE million five
hundred and twenty five thousand three hun
dred and nineteen dollars, including premi-
um, has been discharged-reducing the debt
to thirty million seven hundred and thirty
seven thousand one hundred and twenty
nine dollars; all which might be paid within
year without embarrassing the public SER
vice but being not yet due, and only re-
deemable at the option of the holder, cannot
be pressed to payment by the government
On examining the expenditures of the last
five years, it will be seen that the average
deducting payments on account OF the pub
lie debt, and ten millions paid by treaty to
Mexico, has been but about forty eight mil
lion dollars 1t is believed that, under an
economical administration of the govern
ment. the average expenditure for the ensu-
ing five years will not exceed that sum, un-
less extraordinary occasion for its increase
should occur. The acts granting bounty
lands will soon have been execnted, while
the extension of our frontier settlements will
cause a continued demand for lands and aug
mented receipts, probably from that source
These considerations will justify reduction
of revenue from customs, so as not to exceed
forty-eight or fifty million dollars. think
/ the exigency for such reduction is imperative,
ana again urge it upon the consideration of
Congress.
/ The amount OF reduction, as we'll as the
manner of effscting it, are questions of great
and general interest; it being essential to in
dustrial enterprise and the public prosperity,
as well of the dictates of obvious Justice, that
\ the burden Of taxation be made to rest as
| equally as possible upon all classes, and all
sections and interests of the country.
| have heretofore recommended to your
/ consideration the revision of the revenue
laws, prepared under the direction of the
/ Secretary of the Treasury, and also legisla-
ton upon some special questions affecting the
/ business of that department, more especially
the enactment of law to prevent the alb
straction of official books or papers from the
files of the government, and requiring all
such books and papers and all other public
/ properly to be turned over by the outgoing
officer to his successor; of law req hiring
discussing officers to deposite all public mo-
ney in the vaults of the treasury or in other
/ legal repositories, where the same are conve-
niently accessible; and law to extend ex-
isting penal provisions to all persons who may
become possessed of public money by depos-
ite or otherwise, and who shall refuse or neg
lect on due demand to pay the same into the
Treasury. invite your attention anew TO
each one of these objects.
The army during the past year has been
so constantly employed against hostile Indi-
ans in various quarters that it can scarcely
be said, with propriety of language, to have
been peace establishment. Its duties have
been satisfactorily performed, and we have
reason to expect, as a result of the years op-
erations, greater security to the frontier in.
habitants than has been hitherto enjoyed. Ex-
tensive combinations among the hostile Indi-
ens o. the Territories of Washington and Or
egon at one time threatened the devastation
OF the newly formed settlements of that re-
mote portion ofthe country From recent in
formation, we are permitted to hope that the
energetic aud successful operations conducted
there will prevent such combinations in fu-
ture, and secure to those Territories an op-
portunity to make steady progress in the de-
velopment of their agricultural and mineral
resources.
! Legislation has been recommended by me
on previous occasions to cure defects in the
existing organization, and to increase the eff
cheney Of the army, and further observation
has but served to confirm me in the views
then expressed, and to enforce on my mind
the conviction that such measures are not
enly proper but necessary.
i L have, in addition, to invite the attention
of Congress to change of policy in the dis
tribution of troops, and to the necessity OF
providing more rapid increase of the mill
tary armament. For details of these and
other subjects relating to the army, refer to
the report of the Secretary of War.
b1 Al. L
satisfactory, but exhibits the most gratifying
evidences of increased vigor. As it is COM
paratively small, it is more impo -tant that il
should be as complete as possible in all the
elements of strength; that it should be eff.
cent In the character of its officers, in the
zeal and discipline of its men, in the relia.
bility of its ordinance, and in the capacity Of
, its ships. la all these various qualities the
navy has made great progress within the last
3 few years. The execution of the law o.
S Congress, of February 28, 1856, "to promote
the efficiency of the navy" has been attend
ed by the most advantageous results. The
law for promoting discipline among the mer
is found convenient and salutary. The sys
tenn of granting an honorable discharge tC
! faithful seamen on the expiration of the pc
| riod of their enlistment, and permitting then
e to re-enlist after leave of absence of few
0 months, without cessation of pay, is highly
i beneficial in its influence The apprentice
system recently adopted, is evidently destin
ed to incorporate into the service large
number of our countrymen hitherto so diff
/ cult to procure. Several hundred American
e boys are now on three years cruise in ou
e national vessels, and will return we'll trained
j. seamen. In the ordnance department ther,
e is decided and gratifying indication o
progress creditable to it and to the country
: The suggestions of the Secretary of the Ma
wy, in regard to further improvement in tha
branch of the service, l commend to your ia
r vorable action.
e The new fvigates ordered by Congress ar
now ahoat, aud two of them in active service
5 They are superior models of naval architecture
! .,.l 81 49,. o.. i-LI = J.