The weekly union record., 1864-12-17

ege, 10 embroIl our country n ioFeign wars
Nevertheless, unforeseen political difficulties
have arisen. especially in Brazilian and British
ports and on the northern boundary of the
United States, which have required, and are
likely to continue 10 require, the practice OF
constant vigilance and o just aod conciliatory
spirit on the part of the United States. as well
as Of The nations concerned and their Govern
uenis. Commissioners have been appointed
uuder the treaty with Great Britain on the ed
iustmeut Of the claims of the Hudson Bay and
Puget Sou6d Agricultural Companies in Ore
gon, and are now proceeding 10 the execution
Of the trust assigned them.
In view of the insecurity of life in the region
adjacent to the Canadian border, caused by re
cent assaults and depredaiious. committed by
iuimical and desperate persons who are barbored
there, il has been thought proper to give notice
that, after the expiration OF SIX mouths-tbe
period conditiopally stipulated IN the existing
arrangements with Great BrlaI0-the [ United
States must hold themselves at liberty to in
crease their naval armament on the lakes. II
they shall find that proceeding necessary. The
condition of the border will necessarily come
into consideration in connection With The qnes-
ton OF continuing or modifying the rights OF
transit from Canada through the United States,
as well as the regulations Of exports which
were temporarily established by the Reciproc Y
Treaty OF the 5ih of June 1854. l desire,
however. to be understood, while making this
statement, that the colonial authorities are not
deemed to be Intentionally unjust or unfriendly
toward the United States but, on the contrary,
there is every reason to expect that, with the
approval of the Imperial Government. they will
take the necessary measures TO prevent new
incursions across the border.
The Act passed at the last session for the
encouragement Of emigration has, as far as
possible, been put iuto operation. 1t seems to
need amendment which will enable the officers
of the Government to prevent the practice OF
fraud against emIgrautS while on their v'ay and
on their arrival IN port. so as TO secure them
here a fair choice OF ayocations and place ot
settlement. A liberal disposition toward this
great national policy is manifested by most OF
the European States, aud ought TO be recip7o
Gated on our part By giving the emigrants
effective national protection. | regard our
emigration as one OF the principal repleni>hing
streams which are appointed by Providence TO
repair the ravages Of internal war and its was es
OF national strength aud health. All that is
necessary is to secure The flow of that stream
in iis present fullueSS and to that end the Guv
erumeut must in every way make ii manifest
that it neither needs nor designs TO impose in
voluntary military service upon those who
come from other lands to cast their lot in our
country.
THE FINANCES.
The financial affairs of the Government have
been successfully administered during the last
L., h., 1.,=s &
Congress has benefcmIlv affected the revenue
although sufficient time has not yet elapsed to
experience the full effects Of several of the pro
visions of the Acts of Congress imposing in
creased taxation. The receipts during the year
from all sources, upon the basis OF warrants
signed by the Secretary of the Treasury, incu-
ding loans and the balance 10 the treasury on
the lst day of July, 1863, were 81 ,394.796,
007 90; the aggregate disbursements upon the
same basis were 81 ,269, ,05S ,l01. 50; leaving a
balance in the treasury. as shown by the war
rants. of SlO6, 49, 905 -. Deduct from this
the amount Of public debt redeemed ard the
amount of issue in substitution therefor, and
the actual cash operations of the treasury were
Receipts. SsS4,076,646.77; disbursements
$500, POI 0S1 Sc which leaves a balance in
the treasury of SlS.S42 5jS 81. OF the receipts
99 from the lands, S5SS 1888 %; from direct
tax. S41 .564 500; from Internal revenue
Sl09, al ,I34.l0; from miscellaneous sources
41,5ll ,4l2.l0 and from the loans applied to
actual expenditures, including the former bal
ance, 1923 ,443 ,929.l3. There were disbursed
for civil services S27.j05 j9946; for pensions
and Indians, S7.5l7939.97; for the War De
partment, $685., 7,790.942 s.; for Navy Depart.
e. - n.
public debt. S536e5 42l 90: making an ag.
gregate of SSG2 233 .092 76, and leaving bal
ance in the treasury CT SlS.S42, ,55S.7l. as be
fore stated. For the actual receipts aud dis
bursements for the first quarter and the esti
mated receipts and disbursements for the three
remaining quarters of the current fiscal year,
and the general operations of the treasury in
detail, refer you to the report of the Secretary
of the Treasury. | concur with him in the
opinion that the proportion of moneys required
to meet the expenses consequent upon the war,
derived from taxation. should be still further
increased and | earnestly invite your attention
to this subject, to the end that there may be
such additional legislation as shall be required
to meet the Just expectations of the Secretary.
The public debt, on the first day of July last,
as appears by the books of the treasury,
amounted 10 81 ,O49, ,bSU,4og.49. lrOUaOiE
should the war continue for another year, that
amount may be increased by not far from
100000 600. Held for the most part by our
own people. it has become a substantial branch
of national, though private. property. For
obvious reasons, the more nearly this property
can be distributed among all the people, the
better. 10 favor such a general distribution,
greater inducements to become owners might,
perhaps. with good effect aud without injury,
be presented to persons Of limited means. With
this view, suggest if it might Dot be both ex
pedient aud convenient for Congress to provide
limited amount Of some future issues Of public
securities, which might be held by any bona
ide purchaser, exempt from taxation and from
seizure for debt under such restrictions and
limitations as night be necessary TO guard
against the abuse of so important privilege.
This would enable prudent persons TO set aside
a small annuity agains; possible day Of want.
Privileges like these would render the possession
Of such securities, TO the amount limited. most
desirable to every person Of small means who
might be able to save enough for the purpose.
The great advantage of citizens being creditors
.c vrcII - Iabto-, v-ith ralatIOr tn the ruhfir