The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-12-28

by law to carry into effect certain Indian treaties
during present fiscal year, asked for by the Secre
and thirty. nine thousand three hundred and fifty
dollars, (s539 1907 and upon the estimates Of the
Postmaster Generation the service OF department.
the last fiscal year, ending 30th june 1859, amount
ing to four millions two hundred and ninetysiS
thousand and nine dollars, ($4, 1896 009) together
with the further estimate of that officer for the ser.
vice Of the present fiscal year, ending 30th Jane,
1860, being five million five hundred and twenty six
thousand three hundred and twenty.four dollars,
(s5,62G ,324,) making an aggregate of ten million
three hundy ed and sixty-one thousand six hundred
and eighty.three dollars, (sl0,3sl 6s3.)
Should these appropriations be made as request
ed by the proper departments, the balance IN tho
treasury the 3Oth June, 1851 viii not, it is esti-
mated, exceed three million i've hundred and thir-
ty thousand one hundred and ninetysix dollars and
sixty.one cents, ($3,53O,l96 6lD
CONDITION OF THE DEPARTMENTS.
transmit herewith the reports Of the Seereta-
ries OF War, of the Navy, OF the Interior, ard of
the Postmaster General. They each contain yalua-
Bile information aud important recommendations
well worthy ef'the serious consideration OF Con-
gress.
II will appear from the report Of the Secretary of
War that the army expenditures have been materi-
ally reduced By system Of rigid economy, which,
IN his opinion, Oilers every guarantee that the re-
duction will be permanent The estimates of the
Department for The next year have been reduced
nearly two millions Of dollars below the estimates
or the present fiscal year, and half million oil dot
ars below the amount granted for this year at the
last session Of Congress.
The expenditures Of the Post Office Department
during the past fiscal year, ending on the 3oth
June, 1859, exclusive Of payments for mail service
specially provided ior by Congress out OF the
general treasury, amounted to $14 1854 ,493 81,
and its receipts to $7,96s ,4S4 or; showing de-
fciency to be supplied from the treasury Of
S6,996,009 &c, against S5,235,677 10 for the year
ending seth June, 1858. The increased cost OF
transportation growing out of the expansion of the
service required by Congress explains this rapid
augmentation of the expenditure. Ii is gratifying,
however to observe increase of receipts for the
year ending on the goth June, 1859, equal to
s4sl, e9l ~ mpared with those in the year end
ing on Goth June, 1858.
II is estimated that the deficiency for The current
fiscal year will be S., 1854 OIL, but that for the
year ending 30th June, 1861 it win not exceed
81 ,342 AIS 90 should Congress adopt the
Of reform proposed and urged by the Postmaster
General Since the month OF March retreDcbments
have been made in the expenditures amounting to
feet until after the commencement of the present
fiscal year. The period seems to have arrived for de-
terninng the question whether this Department
shall become permanent and everincre asing
charge upon the Treasury, or shall be permitted
to resume the self-sustaining policy which had so
long controlled Us administration. The course OF
legislation recommended by the Postmaster Gene
raj for the relief Of the Department from its pre-.
sent endorsements and for restoring il to its ORR
ginaI independence, is deserving oil your early and
earnest consideration.
In conclusion, would again commend to the
Just berafy Of Congress the local interests OF tue
District OF Columbia Surely the city bearing the
name of Washington and destined, trust, for
ages to be tie capital Of our united free and pros
porous COME deracy, has strong claims on our favor
able regard. JAMES BUCHANAN.
WASHINGTON CRY, Dec 10, 1859.