The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-14
The Department Report.

ANU DSPSAA OhAVht hoPOAtA
The great length of the reports of the various
departments of the national Government, accom-
panying the Presidents Message. and sent to
Congress at the opening of the session, precludes
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 discloses the condition of the finances
the country, is briefly set forth in that document
Our readers will notice that although the nation
al debt is large larger than we wish it
was-the credit OF the Government was never bet.
ter than it is to-day. Secretary Chase takes par
ticular satislaction,-as he well may-in stating
the fact that the Government has less difficulty in
Obtaining money now than at the cou memo ement
of the war, 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 a wonder
fully clear and straightforward statement of the
condition of his department, and is the ablest re-
portmade to Congress, as Mr.. Chase is the ablest
fficer in the Government
Secretary Stanton's report is business like
document, reviewing briefly the history of the OPP
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 July under
stood. The Secretary confirms the statement
lately made by Gen. Hitchcock, that we have now
over forty thousand prisoners in our hands, while
the enemy hold but thirteen thousand of ours
Because the enemy demand that We shall iber-
ate our possessions for theirs, and because they
refuse to deliver up the coored soldiers and their
white officers, the exchange is suspended,
The Conscription Act has been enforced in
twelve States. 1t has obtained fifty thousand
soldiers, and raised fund of over S lO,00O,OOO
for procuring substitutes.
The Invalid Corps now numbers twenty thou
sand officers and men, aud it has increased by
that number the strength of the armies in the
field.
The operations Of the Bureau of CoIored
Troops have put fifty thousand coIored troops in.
to the field, notwithstanding operations have been
retarded by several obstacles. 1t is recommended
TO Congress that the same wages and bounty be
paid to colored, as are paid to white soldiers.
Secretary Welles makes lengthy and detailed
statement of operations in the Navy Department.
He 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 achieved
great and new historical renown; that it has ex-
panded and i Expanding in a measure common
surate with the exigencIes of the country and of
the times that it has done and is doing heroic
service in great and Sacred cause, and that its
force is welded by body of officers and men
who have established the highest claim TO the
gratitude of their country"
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
selfsupportDg, the expenses exceeding the re-
ceipts only about $l50,000