Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-12-15
The Department Report.

The great length of the reports of the various
departments Of the national Government, accom-,
panying the President Message, and sent to
Congress at the opening Of the session, precldes
US from publishing even an abstract of their con-
tents. They are alluded to in the Presidents
Message, however and that portion of them
which discoses the condition Of the finances
the country, is briefly set forth in that document
Our readers will notice that although the nation
oil debt is large much larger than We wish it
was-the credit Of the Government wasnever bet.
ter than it is to-day. Secretary Chase takes par.
ticuar satsacton,-as he well may--in stating
the fact that the Government has less difficulty 10
Oh. ming money now than at the con men ement
Of the war, a fact which is the highest possible
commentator Of his Management Of the Treas.
ury Department, and is unparalleled in the his
tory Of any other nation. His report is wonder
fully clear and straightforward statement of the
condition Of his department, and is the abest re-
poumade to Congress, as Mr.. Chase is the ablest
fiji er in the Government.
Secretary Stanton's report is blsiness-like
document, reviewing briefly the history Of the op-
erations in the War Department, for the year.
The statements regarding the bad faith and lola
ton Of cartel on the part Of the enemy are very
plainly made, and the case is now ully under
stood. The Secretary confirms the statement
lately made by Gen. Hitchcock, that we nave now
over forty thousand prisoners in cur hands, while
the enemy hold but thirteen thousand Of ours.
Because the enemy demand that we shall liber.
ate our possessions for theirs and because they
refuse to deliver up the colored soldiers and their
white officers, the EXCHANGES suspended.
The Conscription Act has been enforced in
twelve States 1t has obtained fifty thousand
soldiers, and raised fund of over SlOO0O,OOO
for procuring substitutes,
The Invalid Corps now numbers twenty thou.
sand officers and men, aui it has increased by
that number the strength of the armies in the
field.
The operations Of the Bureau of Colored
Troops have put fifty asousand eolored troops in.
to the field, notwithstanding operations have been
retarded by several obstacles. 1t is recommended
to Congress chat the same wages and bounty be
paid to colored, as are paid to white soldiers
SecrerY Weles makes lengthy and detailed
statement Of operations in the Navy Department
lie furnishes little that is new in his report and
closes with the following deserved tribute to the
Navy,
The Navy Of the United States has achi eyed
a great nd new historical renown that It has ex-
panded and is ixpandng in measure common.
suraie with the exigencies of the country and Of
the times that it has done and is doing heroic
service in a great and sacred cause, and that its
force is welded bya Body Of officers and men
VINO baye established the highest claim to the
gratitude Of their county,"
The reports Of the Post Office and Interior
Departments exhibit satisfactory condition of
those bureaus of the public service; and the
people will be especially pleased to know that
the Post Office Department has become nearly
self.supportng, the expenses exceeding tie re-
oeipts only about sl5O,0O0.