The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1861-12-20


leave to refer this matter altogether to the
better judgment Of Congress, suggesting
only, that, whatever discretion it may be
thought prudent to give him in other re,
spects, the rate of interest be limited by
law.
Turning now from the more immediate
consideration of the public finances, tn
Secretary solicits the attention of Congress
to some other topics connected with the
administration of the Treasury Department.
TRADE WITH THE REBEL STATES.
By the act of Congress OF July Ii, 1861,
commercial intercourse with States declar-
ed to be in insurrection by the President
was prohibited, and the Secretary of the
Treasury was authorized to establish such
rules and regulations as he might deem ex-
pedient, in accordance with which, under
license from the President, restricted trade
might be conducted. Upon full considera-
tion of the whole subject it has not been
deemed advisable as yet to establish any
general rules and regulations for such
trade. In few instances special licenses
have been granted to convey particular ar
ticles of property into insurrectionary
States and so carry on limited trade with
parts of Eastern Virginia inhabited by 10y
al people; but with these inconsiderable
exceptions, it has been hitherto thought
best to enforce the prohibition to the full
extent of the act. AS the act itself, how
ever, does not seem to contemplate the for
feitare of property, unless used for the pur-
puses of the rebellion, or found in transit
to or from insurrecrionary States, its exe>
cution has not been extended beyond that
intent.
COMMERCE TO FOLLOW THE FLAG OF THE
UNION.
To avoid, as far as possible, the practical
Inconvenience of this suspension of COM
merce, the Secretary, with the appreciation
of the President, has established regulations
in accordance with which cotton, rice and
other property will be collected and cared
for by agents OF the department in insurrec-
tionary districts occupied by troops Of the
Ulion, and will be forwarded by sea to
New York. All sales will be made for ac-
count of the government, and the proceeds
paid into the national treasury, subject to
any just claims of loyal citizens. This ar
AouSCmCuV ID, vi COukSC, tCuPOl0lI ILL 1t6
nature. As general rule, in the judgment
of the Secretary, commerce should follow
the flag and whenever. the authority of the
Union is fully restored in districts sufi.
GENTLY extensive for the re. establishment of
loyal state government, afording due secur-
ity against abuses of trade in furnishing aid
and comfort to rebellion, the ports should
be opened without restriction, and all COM
merce freely permitted.
COLLECTION EXPENSES REDUCED.
With view to reformation of abuses and
reduction of expenses, the Secretary has
caused most Of the collection districts in all
the states and territories not under insur-
rectionary control, to be visited by an Off
Ger of his department. Their inquiries have
led to the abolition of some offices, and
reduction of the allowance and compensation
to the incumbents of others, amounting to
$75,095 annually. This sum, with the tenn
porary reduction of annual expenses, occa-
stoned by the suspension of official duties in
the rebeiliOus states, amounting to $644,-
14l 68, will more than suffice for all the
expenses arising under the act of July for
the additional agents, inspectors and aids
required for its due execution and the pre-
yention of illegal traffic.
In this connection the Secretary asks
permission to direct the attention of Con
gress to the fact that surveyors of ports
at several points in the Mississippi valley
are almost exclusively occupied by their
duties under the act OF July, and are SUBJ
jected in consequence to labors and respon-
sibilities for which the compensation now
allowed by law is not equivalent 1t is
therefore suggested that the Secretary be
authorized to make some additional allow.
ances, to be paid from the appropriation
already made for such service,
The Secretary also recommends that
division be provided for Of forfeitures, fines
and penalties, under this act, between the
officers, the informer and the government
corresponding to that now allowed by the
revenue laws in other cases; and in order to
protect the interests both of citizens and of
the government, he further suggests that in
all cases of fines, forfeitures and penalties,
under whatever law, when the amount in
controversy does not exceed one thousand
dollars, the Secretary be authorized to pre-
scribe whatever mode may seem most con-
venient and certain for ascertaining the facts
involved, and to direct such settlement of
the matter in controversy by remitter or
otherwise, as he may deem just.
The interests of the Government will also
be promoted, in the judgment of the Secre-
tary, by the appointment of a Solicitor of
Customs, to reside in the city of New York
who shall conduct all suits and prosecutions,
and collect all penalties, f0es, forfeitures
and dues to the government, under the rev.
enue laws, within the collection district of
New York, and advise the collector in re-
spect to all legal questions connected with
the customs which may be referred to him
by that officer.
The operations of the Mint during the
last year were large beyond precedent
The net amount of bullion received was
$72, LAG, ,57l OIL the amount coined was
of gold coins, $6O,693,237 of silver coins,
$2,605,700 of cent coins, SlOl, 600; of
gold bars,$20,015,163 GA; and of silver
bars, $278,006 "a making the total coin-
age of the year S83,693,767 SO. OF the
bullion deposited $54,l49,8 1865 80 were re
ceived at the assay Office in New York; of
the gold bars $40 Q42 700 AZ and of tho