The New York herald., 1877-07-29
w A S Fl I N G T o N 4.
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.
WASHINGTON, July IS, 1877.

"AshiNoroS, jury 20, le''
THE NATIONAL BANKS.
The Treasury now holds $s37 in United States
bonds to secure national bank circulation, and
SIS 1872, 500 to secure public deposits The United
States bonds deposited for circulation for the week
ending to-day were 81 635 900; United States bonds
held for circulation withdrawn for week ending
day. $222d0O0 National bank circulation, outstand-
ing-currency notes, s315, ,40l ,3s7; gold notes.
ST. 43o 100 Internal revenue receipts to-day, $3o4.
0l0 As; customs receipts. 1897 634 0s.
FEDERAL FINANCES.
Tho balances in the United States Treasury at tho
close Of business to-day were Currency S. o4O $50;
special fund for The redemption OF fractional currency
S. 213 SPECIAL deposits OF legal tenders for the
dcmpion of certificates OF deposit $5i $50 0Oo coin.
$1Os o37 including $50 o9O 200 In aes;
outstanding legal tenders, $3.50. 764. 3S2.
A REVENUE CUTTER FOR sIrxA
At the Cabinet meeting to-day the question OF send.
ing revenue cutter from San Francisco Stka to
assist the Collector Of Customs a. that place In pre-
serving order discussed connection with tee-
gram from persons in San Francisco demonstrating
aga sending the vessel away and claim ing that
might DO needed In case OF renewal oi tho Chinese
troubles in that city 1t was nnally determined that
the should be gent to Sitka there vari-
GUS naval vessels the harbor OF San Francisco
which might be called upon In OF violence in that
city.
SWAPPING GOVERNMENT PROPERTY
Tho following opinion of the Attorney General con.
cerning the authority OF the Unea states officers
exchange old government properly for IL pub
lshed by the Treasury Department Tor the intorma-
tion Of all concerned:-
DEPARTMENT or JUSTICE,
WASHINGTON, ID. O., juno 25, 1877.
SIRI am informed by your letter OF tho 2lst inst.
that Is in tho power OF tho Chief OF tho Bureau OF
Engraving aud Printing To exchange certain old
q he S8, "A
addition will have to bc paid to the manuiac
turcrs OF The new press and you inquire whether as
these old presses longer needed and much
worn, and as IN this way they WILL probably produce
than In any Other, you are justified In author
izing him make the pui chase tho manner thus
Indicated.
1t may often happen that by the judicous use OF old
material IN exchange for necessary machinery more
advantage contracts may be made than In auy
other mode yet not prepared TO say that such
contracts authorized by law II has been the in
teniion of Congress- manifested by the statutes
Except In certain specifically named 10 require
the proceeds OF old material VIII ch is sod should
be covered into the Treasury, and thus accounted for
Although such exchanges may be conducted 10 sdvan-
taRc, yct Congress has deemed It better al rule Of
business to prescribe that the officer having charge Of
old material should dispose and account Tor such,
and mako the purchase OF such material
required out OF the spcc appropriation for that
purpose Section 3,6lS OF tho Revised Statutes Is as
follows:-
All proceeds sales of old material condemned stores
Of the sale asin Of marine hospitals Of the
stores to officers aud enlisted Of tho army
the sale Of condemned navy clothing or the sale Of mate
pedton authorized snail be deposited and covered
proceeds Of government prspsr aud shall not be with.
appropriation made by law
This section has been amended by inserting, alter
the word 'army" in the hnh Inc thereof the words
"or Of materials, stores supplies sold TO officers
and soldiers Of the army Act OF February 27 1877
chap &c.
the sales which are included within the exceptions
this section controlled by other sections, which
regulate the mode IN which the saies of such properly
shall be made and the proceeds thereof applied
Section 3,67Z provides that "a detailed statement of
tho proceeds OF all sales OF Old MATERIAL condemned
stores supplies or other public property of any KIND
shall be included the appendix to the Book Of Esti
mates"
These sections contemplate that there will be sales
of ola material necessarily made In the depart
ments Of the government other than those included
within the exceptions For the mode in which such
sales shall be conducted whether by advertisement at
public auction otherwise no specific provision Is
made In these respects tho sales icit the dis
cretion OF the officer having charge Of such old mate
but il is required that when such sales made
the proceeds shall be covered into tue Treasury
count Of proceeds OF government property and that
detailed statement OF them shall be thereafter made
1t is, therefore, your power to make two
ons which VIII produce, SO far as the benefit OF tho
government Is concerned, the same result that would
be produced by an exchange BY one Of them You can
sell 10 me nulacturers Of the printing press the old
presses at rate which you shall determine 10 be FAIR
and just bvt the sum received from such sale will
necessarily be covered into the Treasury account Of
'proceeds of government property" BY the other
transaction you may purchase from the manufac-
turers paying Tor the same out of the Appropriation
which Is put into your hands tor that purpose, the
press which Is desired Tor USE while the result far
tho government is concerned Is the same. II will
not, of course have the same effect upon your appro
priat would be produced If you entitled
pay for the new press from the appropriation
hands for such an expenditure, while the amount
ccived from the old presses, being covered into the
Treasury, will then BIO subject to the future action of
Congress. Very respect ullv your obedient servant
CHARLES DEvENS, Attorney General
Hon JOHN SHERMAN, Secretary Of the Treasury.
THE SWAMP LANDS.
EThe Attorney General has decided that the several
States entitled to indemnity Tor swamp lands sold
by United States from March 2 1885, to March 3,
ls5s
Personal
Edward s. Crocker, of Wyoming, has been ap-
pointed receiver of public moneys at Evanston, Wy.
oming Territory
General A. p. Ketchum will remain as general ap-
praiser Of the port OF New York.
The President has appointed LOWS Heyt TO be ap.
praser OF merchandise At Philadelphia, to succeed
William j. Pollock.