The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-01-06

large in itself is small In comparison with its resources
Ii its expenses shall continue " be met by taxa
ton and the received FROM property owned by
tho city, thus preventing any increase Indebtedness
the sinking fund and will suffice to qul
date The entire amount than twenty years from the
present time No public securities issued IN this country
or IN any other present stronger guarantees OF Ger
sinking fund pledged TO their redempton the Corpo-
ration owns productive property tho market value OF
which, moderate estimate exceeds its ontire ndebt
Besides this the whole private property of the
citizens subject TO whatever taxation be necessary
10 make good all deficiency IN the other corporate re-
sources.
The aggregate value of taxable property in the city
For the year 1861 of real estate .$4oe ssl roo
For the year 1851, OF personal lT4G24 3oe
Total. 1851, SOC ,O96
For tho year 1862. Of real estate 1899 551 ,3l4
For the year 1862, Of personal 172 lac OBJ
Total. ss7i ,s67 ,345
The sorable exhibit which tho financial condition aud
ns ers t our s
dures Vast is the wealth OF the city, its taxation for
local purposes alone over one aud half per cent on its
entire property Add to this the taxes for state and
tonal purposes the latter being rendered both onerous
and permanent by the enormous cost Of the war; aud
have an aggregate which points to the urgent necessity or
retrcnchment In all Efforts you may make in this drcc
ton you may rely with certainty my cheerful and
direction pointed out in my annual message Of last
yearnamey, the sale Of the markets, wirves, piers
and terry franchises belonging 10 the city th9 be
deemed unadvsable at present. then thorou ia
and reformation in their management Under their pre-
sent management they yield the city net revenue Of less
than two per cent their market value which Is more
than it would receive from them In the form Of taxes II
they belonged to private owners The subject Is most
important ono in its relations to the city finances and
again commend TO the early and careful attention Of
the Common Council.
l must also renew the recommendation that proper
steps be taken 70 obtain from the general government
payment for the advances made by the city the
mencement of the war, through the Union Defence Com
mittee for the equipment and transportation Of voun
tsers. The amount Is a little short Of $500 600.
have differed with your predecessors ON the question
horifu houa
recently Increased thc WHILE my Judgment the bur-
deus Of the war; which all should share in proportion to
than an increase And would especially recommend
careful revision Of the list OF employees in each depart
ing the number in ali cases where may be found pract
cable without detriment to the public service.
ns % e M IN and nv the
large expenditures Of These cannot be res
lied on elements Of permanent and substantial prospe
rty They merely serve to produce temporary activity
which certain TO be followed by corresponding do
PRESTON In view Of this and all other contingencies Of
the future let enter upon Official duties for the
present year with determination to avoid all unnecessary
expenditures aud TO strive in all other respects TO meet
tho just expectations Of our constituents.
HAKBoR DEENcEs
In my first annual message aud In several subsequent
communications have directed the attention Of your
predecessors 20 tho insufficient detenees OF
and have urged The adoption OF measures for increasing
their strength The subject has lost Of its interest
strengthened during tho year, still TOO in.
perfect to BIO relied on as an unfailng Safeguard
Nothing short OF this should satisfy time OF poace
much less In the presence OF and public danger;
less snoSd b. sas " inc 60
ensurate with the importance TO the nation at large Of
the safety Of this city, in which is concentrated its chief
financial resources.
During The past year have repeatedly urged upon the
proper authorities At Washington, and also upon tho
Executive Of this State the necessity Of Incl easing the
and garrison OF the in this harbor and Of
having them In all respects prepared tor immediate
DS.Oty or
port, 20 act 10 concert with the forts in the
event of hostile demonstration from the ocean
The War aud Navy Departments have not failed ~ APP
preciate the inheritance OF these suggestions nor have
they omitted proper efforts 70 carry them out The work
the unfinished iortications has made encouraging
progress those already completed have had their
mont increased by the addition improved guns OF
heavy cabre and their grrisons have been strength
encd
The Navy Department give authority time since
% Admiral Pnuding the distinguished Commandment or
tho Brooklyn Navy Yard TO keep at this port
armed steamers in readiness for action IL understood
that the department also intends detailing for like service
the formidable iron clad steamer Roanoke nearly
ready 10 be put in commission.
While these facts arc encouraging as showing progress
in the right direction It TO be disguised that much
should have. harbor defences In a condition Of
strength and efficiency that would insure the destruction
OF any hostile fleet that should dare TO approach
fnem. they have never been Brought 70 that
degree OF reliable strength, even as against wooden
cd clearly demand. And now, when the use
of steam and iron bulls has changed the nature OF
and ~ IMMUNITY from injury their deficiency is greater
than before Since taos dangers have become
aarsns tho United states has shown every
disposition to do Its duty IN providing against thcm
Indeed Ia but just to say, that IL IL doing for us
ali that its more urgent duties connected with the
war win permit II cannot be expected, however
that can do all that need while its chief ener
giles and resources are necessarily employed In other
snd more urgent service. SO far as Notifications
may be essential 10 the defence Of harbor the gov
eminent DO relied 10 do ell that 10 necessary But
w Certainly 'sas auxiliary hSaoS d.,snGss We
and rams 10 aid IN their destruction These, We would
have them a. A carly day and always at our command
must provide for ourselves under the sanction
operation Of the general government The would
be nothing compared With the possible injury~nd dis
grace OF having our city laid under contribution TO an
For tho reasons thus briefly stated renew the recon.
%snd,iou that ooo %O S o. collars Be AID
expended, under the direction oe commission Of high
character and capacity the construction Of proper
auxiliary dsfenccs OF tho barDor. This commissn should
BE- selcced from among most eminont citizens and
with due regard TO their qualifications for tho important
duty counded 10 them. II should also embrace Il
10 mo- ~ least two members representing tho United
states govsrnmentone 70 be selected by the War Depart
msns, the other By the Navy Nav Department. ,.
should have at all tines available military force OF not
less than ten thousand Of the state National Guard,
thoroughly drilled in infantry and artillery practice 80
that they would be In readiness 10 either aid manning
the forts to repel naval attacks, 10 act as ofauy
march on the city This number OF drilled and expert
enced citizen soldiers would form the nucleus around
Wnlcn our enuFe popuiaton capable OF bearing arms
might quickly rally, constituting an aggregate force sur
ncent TO repe any Invasion or threatened attack how
ever formidable.
Tux ALABAMA.
kindred subject OF grave importance 10 the
81 ths city demands such action u DO within
proper sphere 10 take The British government In viola.
ton Of ITS pghsed neutrality and u law rs
permitting II not aiding IN the nttiupoat her sorts OF
armed steamers, under the Confederate aax 10 prey
upon our commerce Une Of these called the Alabima
or 100, has already captured and destroyed large
Der Of our merchant vessels, and pirate Ike has burned
OflAn "A u MFtFa. Af
snarng all that might be attracted by the light on an
errand Of humanity.
This vessel and others like her, which are probably
already aoat well armed aud u such great spccd
that they viii be difficult to capture. The Navy DEPART
mont Ii Is understood has sent number OF vessels In
quest Of thcse pratcal CRUISERS, bat Is believed the
chances OF success would Id b6ay Increased II private
cit zens should be permitted under goyanmenta autho
rity TO oin In the efforts 10 capture destroy them
Every available should be employed to rid the