The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-10-26
FROM WASHINGTON.
COrresp pOnden ce.

WASHINGTON, Oct 26.-The President of the
United States has addressed the following letter to
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, d. c.. Oct.
"a, 1S6S.-Dear Sir: In a recent conversation upon
to be furnished with of the leading facts then
mentioned touching the national expenditures and
the public debt. now comply with your request,
regretting however, that other and more pressing
matters prevented me from more clearly Illus
trating the absolute necessity for immediate re-
form in the financial operations OF the government
In 1776 our national independence was proclaimed,
and after an exhaustive bloody struggle OF seven
years was, in 1888, acknowledged by the parent
government. In 1877 the Federal Constitution was
framed, and in 1889 the government went into
operation under its provisions burdened with debt
Of seventy-five millions of dollars, created during
the war of the revolution.
Immediately upon the organization of Congress
measures were devised for the payment of the ma
tiona obligations and the restoration of the public
credit and when, in 1872 war was declared against
Great Britain the debt had been reduced to forty
five millions of dollars. 1t was then largely in
creased by the three years struggle that ensued be-
tween the two nations, until in 1916 it had reached
the sum of one hundred and twenty-seyen mil
lions. Peace again established provision was made
for the earliest practicable liquidation of this in
debtedness, in order that it might not become a
permanent incumbrance upon the people. Under
wise and economical legislation the entire amount
was paid in a period of twenty years, and the ex,
tinguishment of the national debt filed the land
with rejoicing, and was one OF the great events OF
President ,Jackson's administration. Even after
it's payment large fund remained i'll the treasury,
which for safe keeping was deposited with the
turned when required by the public wants.
In 1Si9, the year after the termination OF an eX-
pensive with Mexico, we found ourselves invol-
we'd in debt of sixty-four millions and this was the
amount owed by the government in 1860, just prior
To The outbreak of the rebellion. Iu the spring of
1861 the war of the rebellion commenced Each
year of its continuance made an enormous addition
to the debit the spring of 1865, when the nation
successfully emerged from the dreadful conflict the
obligations of the government had reached twenty
six hundred millions. They had not yet, however,
attained their highest point for when the army and
navy had been paid the volunteer forces disbanded
and the navy largely reduced, it was found that in
February, 1866, our indebtedness exceeded twenty
eight hundred millions of dollars.
Having thus referred to the Indebtedness of the
governmental various periods otits existence 1T may
be well to call attention to brief statement OF
facts connected with its expenditures. From the
fourth day Of March, 1885, to the thrtieth day OF
June 1861 the entire public expenditures were Sc
venteen hundred millions of dollars. Although
covering period of seveny-two years, this amount
the government during the recent war of four
years duraton; for from the first of july 1861, to
the thirteth of June 1865 they reached the enor-
aggregate Of thirty-three hundred millions OF
dollars.
An Investigation into the disbursements since the
first of July, 1866 further shows that by adding 70
the expenditures Of the last three years the esi-
mated cost of administering the government for the
wear ending the thirteth of June, 1868, we obtain
the sum of sixteen hundred millions OF dollars az
the amount required for the four years immed y
following the cessation OF hQsthtles, or nearly as
much as was expended during the seventy-two years
that preceded the war 1t will be seen from this
brief review that from 1871 to 1861 our public debt
was at no time more than one hundred and twenty
seven millions of dollars, while subsequently, fou
wears of civil war expanded IL TO twenty y-elght nun
dred millions. The letter continues to review a
length the financial history of the government, AM
TO discuss the present financial situation, adYoc9t
ing the payment of the debt as soon as possible
and animadverting upon the management OF Tn
party in power.
The Settlement of the Alabama Claims
Minister Johnson's speech at the banquet give
him in Liverpool on Thursday last cleits no llttl
comment here. Although his remarks indicate
that solution of the Alabama claims was not ia
off, it is known here in diplomatic circles that
II nd settlement expected.
The English Minister, Sir Edward Thornton, sal
last evening that the anxiety OF Lord Stanley an
the British Ministry to adjust this matter pel0r
they might present to the English people some sue
cessful diplomatic negotiation before retiring lroI
power, was not TO be concealed. The principle
referring this matter to the King Of PRUSSIA hayin
been agreed upon, there remains only an imp0rtar
point OF what sort of questions should be referre
TO the arbiter Diplomatic circles, as well as Seer,
tary seward, are watching with great interest
81 zee whether the King Of Prussia will decide thi