Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-12-11

remote and distant portions of the republic. Q
Experience has proved that the routes across the
isthnus of Central America are at best but very
uncertain and unreliable mode of commonication.- a
But even if this were not the case they would at
once be closed against us in the event of war with
naval power much stronger than our own as to en-.
able it to blockade the ports at either end of these
routes. After all therefor, can only rely upon
military roak through own territories: and ever
snce the origin of the government Congress has been
in the practice of appropriatng money from the pub
lie treasury for the construction of such roads.
The difficulties and the expense of constructing
military railroad to connect our Atlantic and Pacific
States have been greatly exaggerated The distance
on the Arizona route the 32d parallel of north
latitude, between the western boundary of Texas on
the Rio Grande and the eastern boundary of Calfor
mia on the Colorado from the best explorations now
within our knowledge does not exceed four hundred
and seventy miles, and the face of the country is, in
the main, favorable For obvious reasons the govern
ment ought not to undertake the work itself by |
means of its own agents. This ought to be commit
ted to other agencies, which Congress might assist |
either by grants of land money, or by both, upon
such terms and conditions as they may deem most
beneficial far the country. Provision might thus be
made not only for the safe, rapid, and economical
transportation Of troops and munitions of war, but
also of the public mails. The commercial interests of
the whole country, both East and West would be
greatly promoted by such road and above all, it
| would be powerful additional bond of union. And
although advantages of this kind, whether postal,
power vet they may furnish auxiliary arguments in
favor of expediting a work which, in my judgment,
is clearly embraced within the war making power
| For these reasons commend to the friendly con-
sideration Of Congaess the subject of the Pacific rail-
road, without finally committing myself to any par
ticular route.
The report of the Secretary Of the Treasury will
furnish detailed statement of the condition of the
puplc finances and Of the respective branches of the
public service devolved upon that department of the
~; hat tho
amount of revenue received from all into the
treasury during hefiscal year ending the 3Oth June,
1857 was sixty eight million six hundred and thirty
one thousand five hundred and thirteen dollars and
sixty seven cents, (S68, 631 BIB 81 which amount,
Fl with the balance of nineteen million nine hundred and
one thousand three hundred and twenty-five collars
and forty five cents, $4,000 1926 49, remaining in
the treasury at the commencement OF the year, made
an aggregate for the service of the year OF eighty
eight million five hundred and thirty-two thousand
eight hundred and thirty dollars and twelve cents,
! ($8S, 532, $3.50 -.
i The public expenditures for the fiscal year ending
i 3Oth June, 1857, amounted to seventy million eight
hundred and twenty-five thousand seven hundred
twenty four dollars and eghty-ve cents, (7Oe22 724
/ So of which five million nine hundred and forty
three thousand eight hundred and nnety-six dollaas
and ninety cents 5,943, 696 81 were applied to
the redemption of the pubic debt, including interest
and premium leaving in the treasury at the com
mencement ofthe present fiscal yearon the LIST July
1857 seventeen million seven hundred and ten thou
sand one hundred and fourteen dollars and twenty
seven cents, ($17, 7l0,1 la 27)
i The receipts into the treasury for the first quarter
of the present fiscal year. commencing first July 1857
were twenty million nine hundred and twenty
nine thousand eight hundred and nineteen dollars an
eghty-one cents $50 929 S19 81 and the estimated
receipts of the remaining three quarters to the 30td
i June, 1853 are thirty-six millions seven hundreh
and fifty thousand dollars ($36 0OO) makind
with the balance before stated aggregate seveng
4 ty-fve million three hundred ond eighty nine thou
sand nineahundred and thirty-four dollars and eigh-
cents 1884 0S for the service of the present
/ fiscal year.
The actual expenditures during the first quarter of
the present fiscal year were twenty three million
i hundred and fourteen thousand five hundred and
twenty eight dollars and thirty cents, (S23 A.
52S 80 of which three million eight hundred and
ninety.five thousand two hundred and thirty two dol
lars and thirty nine cents (s3, S95, 1872 800 APP
piled to the redemption of the public debt, including
interest and premium The probable expenditures of
the remaining three quarters to 3Oth June 1853,
fifty one million two hundred and forty eight thousand
Ave hundred and thirty dollars and four cents ($51
249, 53004 including interest on the public debt,
king aggregate of sevent -four million nine hun
dred and sixty three thousand fifty eight dollars and
fortyone cents, ($74 963 O5S Al leaving estimated
balance in the treasury at the close of the present
fiscal year Of four hundred and twenty six thousand
eight hundred and seventy five dollsrs and sixyse
cents, ($426,S75 67)
The amount of the public debt at the commence
ment of the present fiscal year twenty nine mil
lions sixty thousand three hundred and eghty-sx
dollars and ninety cents, 1929, O6O, 1856 9O.)
The amount redeemed since the 1st Of July was
three million eight hundred and ninety five thousand
two hundred and thirty two dollars and thirty nine
cen is ($3, 1895, 232 99)eaving balance unredeemed
at this time of twenty-five million hundred and
sxty-ive thousand one hundred and fifty four dollars
and fifty -one cents. ($25, 165, 154 SD
I The amount of estimated expenditures for the
remaining three quarters of the present fiscal year
will, in all probability, be increased from the causes
set forth in the report Of the Secretary His sugges
ton, therefore, that authority should be given to
a supply any temporary deficiency by the issue of
limited amount of treasury notes, is approved and
u dinghy recommend the passage of such law.
AS stated in the report Of the Secretary the tariff
of March 3, 1857, has been in operation for short
period of time, and under circumstances so unfavora
BILE to just development of its results as revenue
measure, that should regard it as inexpedient at
least for the present, to undertake its revision.
transmit herewith the reports made to me by the
Secretary of War and of the Navy, of the Interior
i and of the Postmaster General They all contain
valuable and important information and suggestions
I which commend to the favorable consideration of
! Congress-
i have already recommended the raising of four ad
dtona gments and the req ort of the Secretary of
War presents strong reasons proving this increase of
the army, under existing circumstances, to be indis
pensable.
/ l wonld call the special attention of Congress to
the recommendation of the Secretary of the Navy in
favor of the construction of ten small steamers
i light draught. For some years the government has
been obliged on many occasions to hire such steamers
from individuals to supply its pressing wants. At the
present moment We have armed vessel in the navy
| which can penetrate the rivers of China. We have
Norfolk, although many millions of foreign and do
| nestle commerce annually n nd out Of tloco