New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-12-05

The report of the acting engineer in charge Of the
Bureau OF Construction is herewith submitted IL fur
ishes fun details of the progress OF the public buildings
In course of constructions. ..
The policy adopted by the Department in reference
TO works OF this character, and presented in former
reports 10 Congress, has been continued during me
past year. My views in reference TO these works, and
especially on the subject of marine hospitals have been
so often urged upon Congress that it is deemed IN
necessary to do at this time than TO say that each
year observation and exreien confirm and strength
former convictions. Accompanying the report oil
Il il officer will lie found the action of the Department
under the Of March 3 1851 authorizing the anal
Of iron Ii will be found 10 be instructive
document this greai material interest Of our country
On the 10th OF ebrnry, 1885, Congress passed joint
resolution authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury
10 eause inquiry TO be made, by two competent COM
nssioners into processes and means claimed 10 have
been discovered by j. T. Barclay for preventing abra-
sion ooyterfeing, ard deterioration of The coins OF
United States" trder the authority of this law Prof.
Henry vethake and X. +. Rogers were appointed to
act such commissioners. On the 22d June, 1860, an
additional appropriation of $1,000 was made to carry
out the joint resolution Of 1857 herewith communi-
cate the report of these commissioners and the action
of the Department on tie subject. Ii the objects
which DIR. Barclay proposes TO accomplish can be effect.
ed, il is difficult to estimate the advantage which would
he derived by the Government and the public from his
discovery. Tie experiments already made have been
attended with such results to induce the opinion that
il will prove entirely successful. Such is the strong
conviction Of my own mind to that effect, that do not
hesitate TO recommend a sufficient appropriation be
made 10 test fully the praccability Of the measure, and
az the same time 10 compensate DIR. Barclay literally
for his discovery. There should be placed under the
control Of the Secretary of the Treasury for this pur
pose Tie sum of 100000.
Congress at its Last session authorized the appoint
ment OF delegates TO represent this Government in the
International Statistical Congress- which met in London
in July last bad on two occasions called the atten-
ton OF Congress 20 the importance of establishing uni
form standards Of weights and measures uniform unit
of currency, and uniform mode of preparing and
keeping commercial statistics among the commercial
countries Of the world II was with view to these
results that the authority was given for the appoint
ment of delegates 10 this International Congress- Its
action was, therefore, looked TO with much interest,"
and tie most beneficial results anticipated fromit
regret TO say that these expectations were all dsap
pointed, and from cause which II is not the province
of this report 10 discuss. The Hon. \. Il. L0ngsreet
of South Carolina was the only delegate from the
United States who took his seat in the Congress. i
herewith submit his report, showing the reason of bis
withdrawal theretIOm on the fret day Of IFS session.
1t il only necessary to say that the withdrawal of
Judge LOngstree from the Congress, and his refusal TO
return 10 its deliberations received the entire approval
Of his Government.
The report Of the Superintendent of the Coast Sur.
vey presenting the operations of this service for the
last fiscal year, will be submitted TO Congress at
early day.
The accompanying reports from the various bureaus
of the Department marked from TO i, contain de-
tailed statement OF their operations duringthe last fiscal
year.
Tie general operations of the Treasury Department
since my last annual report, have been of the most
satisfactory character. The country had gradually re-
covered from the revuson of 1857 and its healthy and
prosperous condition was felt in the relief thereby
afforded to tie public finances. Until within short
period, had confidently expected to present to Con-
eress at its present session gratifying statement Of the
financial condition of the Government. different
suit however has been brought about by causes which
could not be foeseen and if foreeen could not have
been ayerted by any action OF the Department.
All which Is respectfully submitted.
HOWELL COBB, Secretary of the Treasury.
Hon. WILLIAM PEsyISGToS Speaker of the House
Of Representatiyes.