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ur |o b<*1*> vt* the CohurMa, Tn a commercial
. paint of \ it t\, a notation of ih«* utmost lin-
’portative—the fl*4u*iics oil that const, its
0 )cri »en, nnt) its pus.lion in rcf lird to Chi
ns, which offers the best market Tor the vast
quantities of furs taken in those rcpi.ms, our
iiicn iisins trade throughout that ocean,
Berms to demand iimnediate attention.
The committee, from carefully examining
allthe facts connected with the subject re
ferred to them, are well persnnded that the
Vittnllon of the U. Suites is such as to ena
ble it to possess all the benefits derived frotn
this trade, (thefur trade,) whl' h, in the hands
of others, amount to millions—many oi
whose trading estnblisnients east ofthr Rocky
mountains are within the acknowledged li
mit* of the republic, as fixed by the conven
tion of London of the EOth of October, Ik IB
—and. it is believed, that no power, with the
exception of Spain, hai any just claim to
territory west of tlirm, or on the Pacific.—
Tile dependence for subsistence ol many ol
those estahli^hinents, is upon the buffaloe
beef hunted by the Assiniboili Indians, who
inhabit the country between the river of that
name &z. the Missouri—their hunting ground
is f.ir within onr boundary. To succeed in
fi roruring to the people of the U. StaleB all
ip wealth flowing from tit's source, it is on
ly necessary to occupy w ith a small trading
guard the rent north-'jstern point upon the
Missouri river, and confine the foreigners to
tlHrbwn territory—-at the same time occu
pying, with a similar guard, the mouth of
Columbia. The crest profit derived f,*m
this trade by the Canadian companies, when
w* know the distance and obstructions in
tneir rive-s, and in the various streams they
arce.id in carrying it on, the advance of price
consequent upon it becomes rather a matter
of amazement than other* ise, and inclines
us to i xamine uur osro rivers with n view to
the s one ubi»*Ct. Instead, however, of those
fdemi lahle obstructions., we find a smooth
ou t de-p river naming through a boundless
ext. ,lof the tenet fertile coil on this corili-
co.itaining within its limits all those va
luable fms which have, greatly enriched oth
ers—a cerUio, sHie, and easy navigation,
will) a portage of only iOO miles, uniting it
with iiolh-r river, equally smooth, dec|) and
certain, running to the great Western O-
cean. TtiuR an< those two great oceans se
parated by a single portage of *".00 miles !
The practicability of a speedy, safe, und ea
sy worn Mirabel) with the Pacific, is no
lolfM'/i natter of doubt or conjecture—from
i •formation not to be doubted, the Rocky
Mountain at this tiiuq in several places, is
bo smooth sod a pen that the labor of ten
men f *r twenty days would enable a waggon
with its usti.vl freight to pa an with great fa
cility from the navigable water of the Mis
souri to tli«t of ths Columbia—file uctual
distance from river to river several hundred
miles from their source, that is, from the
great Pulls of Missouri to the fork of Clark’s
river, is 149 miles—the distance, therefore,
of ‘too miles in to good navigation on the
Columbia, which is the only river of any
magnitude upon that whole coast, north of
tbe Colorado of California, though lheg»are
several good harbors, secure and safe for vet-
sols of any size.
The region of country from the ocean to
the bead of tide water, which is about two
hundred miles, is heavily timbered, with a
great variety of wood well calculated for
shipbuilding, r.nd every species of cabinet
or carpenter’s work—though there is a hea
vy timbered country thence for 800 miles
further, yet it is of a lesser growth, and qua
lity not so durable—st that point commenc
es the plain country, when tile soil becomes
more thin, and almost without wood, until it
arrives at the table lands below the moun
tain ; though the soil of this region is not so
goi»d as in any other part of this great vultoy,
yet it produces grass of the finest quality,
nnd is emphatically called the region favora
ble to the production *f the lior«e—this no
ble animal so far surpassing all others in use
fulness. courage, and swiftness, is here pro
duced in greater perfection than even in An
dalusia, or Virginia. But, independent of all
the wealth which may be derived from the
fur trade of that river, and the Missouri, the
Beeurily too which the peace of this coun
try would find in the influence which the
American traders would obtain over the na
tives. is, tbe increasing commerce in the
"Western Ocean. There is no employment
B« dl calculated lt> make good rcamen n 3
tit.' whale fisheries, wliich are known to be
. m .re profitable on this coast Ilian any oth-
•‘■i it the -amt time the mi! is far preferable
to 'bat taken on any other coast, being clear
a id tra isp irent as rock water. Whilst so
m iny of our citizens are industriously en
gaged in the various branches of trade in
those seas, more valu.itile to this country it
is believed than any other, whilst all nations
who have claim upon that coast, and some
who h ive none, are anxious to occupy some
position upon it, even at a vest expense, to
enable thprn to participate, in its bene
fits—we have neglected to extend to it any
portion of our carp, though it appears, from
the best information, that there, is at this
tim- eight millions cf properly owned by
citizens of ibis republic in the Pacific O-
cean.
Russia, whose dominions on the Asiatic
cor.st, occupy nearly the same position upon
that side, which ours do oi. this, lias long
been rve.il informed of the great and increas
ing value of the commerce—aid whilst she
has been no where visible, not even to the
powers of Europe, only as she has of late ta
ken part in a few memorable enterprises,
Bile has been felt every where—tin labor,
care, or expense, is avoided, to make tribu
tary the four quarters of the globe—forts,
magazines, towns, cities, and ,‘";ulo, seem to
arise on that coast as if by magic—with an
army of a million of men, she nits not only in
proud security asit regards Europe, and me
naces tbe Turk, the Persian, the Japanese,
and Chinese, but even the King of Spain’s
dominions in North America are equally ea
sy of access, mid equally exposed to her
fearful weight of power. Her watchfulness
is ever iri advance, in discerning the most
practicable avenues to profitable commerce.
In the midst of all her busy arrangements
alie lias not neglected the opportunity of pos
sessing herself of two important .rations on
the American shore of the Pacific, the one
. at a place called Nevr-Archangel, in about
® 59 of north lat. lb's other at Buiiiga Bay, in
latitude 80, 34. At the former of these mi
litary positions, for the protection of her
commerce it. is presumed, she has incurred
Hindi expense, and built a fort of great
strength, situated upon one of the best hur-
h ics on the coast, standing in upon a point
of land projecting into tlie little bay, giving
sometimes the- appearance of a conical isl
and in ifie centrji^»i;ii-—this flirt is well sup-
xli \ it ail lime* will* provisions and milita-
• J i o.es, moutitifig an hundred and twenty
• -i cairyidg boils from eighteen to 24
• cl-wiiiglit. That at Bodiga is well con-
• ; Kfrl vippiiad tcjth cannon, and has
Me !*Sk$t this point they hav« am-
{ow-ArcTingcl, very considerable—■besides j liihlting, nr imposing additional duties on, the
he fine condition of this fort Hud its del cnees, j importation ol foreign spirits, and iinpor.ing
some ofhi'RSs, | an uxcino on domestic distilled spirits,” re-
pqrt
they have many fielt
of the finest coastruction, iu good order am
well mounted.
All these supplies have been conveyed to
those places through immense oceans, round
Cape Horn, which would li a r appalled any
but Russian policy and perseverance.
The light articles destined for this trade
are transported frotn St. Potershiirgli in
sledges which will perform in three months
that whiijh would renuire two summers of
water conveyance to effect—their communi
cations are open to Kmntschatka, to fort St.
Petre, and St. I’aul, 1% Oliotsk, in the Paci
fic, wlie.ro they have the finest harbor in the
world, the distance is estimated at. ten thou
sand miles. The nation which can encoun
ter such journey x ns these, often through
seas of ice and storms of snow so terrible as
to obscure ah ohject beyond the distance of a
few paces, to prosecute any branch of com
merce, must he welland lolly informed of
its value,** That the objects sho has in view
may not, by any event, be taken from her
grasp, after encountering such vast difficul-
ties, she has found it expedient to occupy
one of the Sandwich islands, which not on
ly enables her effectually to maintain her po
sition, hut to command the whole northern
part of the Pacific ocean. These islands ly
ing just within the tropics, in the direct course
from the lower const of North-America to
Canton, are well supplied not only with all
tile fruits of that climate, hut with every ve
getable and animal known in this country.
It is worthy of remark, that among other
advantages which the Russian position on
the opposite const possesses, is, that a voyage
from Kamtschntkn to Japan, can lie made in
an open boat, as it is a continual chain of
islands from the Ohotsk sea until it arrives
at its place of destination.
Vour committee,are w ell persuad' d that,
by a little care and small expense, the citi
zens of this republic might reap all the bene
fits of t.iis trade, not only profitable now,
but from every view of the subject there is
a strong probability that it w ill increase for
many years.
Were an establishment made at the mouth
of Columbia, which should be allowed to
take with them their women and children,
there c«.n be no doubt offiicce.vqas so many
years experience uf the English fur compa
nies have amply shewn this mode. Ins the
most powerful effect in separating the minds
of the uien from pursuits w hich often iu
frontier countries leads to strife, as it gives
them a local interest and feeling, and makes
(belli even more vigilant and prudent in the
discharge of all tbc.ir duties, it is believed
that population could he easily acquired
from China, by which the arts of peace
would at once, acquire strength and influence,
and make visible tn the aborigines the man
ner in wliich their wants could Iw supplied ;
th- coast of tbe Pacific is, in its climate, more
mild than any part of the continent in the
same parallel, and many vegetables oil that
shore grow in great abundance in die native
forest, which are likewise natives off China.
It. is known, that when the Spanish govern
ment, iu 17M, sent their snips of w ar up the
coast tn capture the. British vex els, which
were intruding, they found seventy Chine'e,
whom the English had procured to emigrate,
that they might lie.employed in the mechan
ic arts ; ami though the people of that coun
try evince no disposition to emigrate to the
territory of adjoining princes, it is believed
they would willingly, nay, gladly embrace
the. opportunity of a home in America,
where they have no prejudices, no fears, no
restraint in opinion, labor, or religion.
The. committee, cannot doubt that an es
tablishment made on the Pacific would es
sentially benefit the natives, whilst it would
give Ibis country the advantage of ail its own
treasurer, which otherwise must he lost for
ever, or rather never enjoyed ; and, from all
that can he ascertained relative to its present
arid increasing value, of more profit to this
country than the mines of Potosi.
From the best information which can be
hid, it appears thnt the Indian trade on the
Missouri,bell,w the Mamhm villages,is worth
about £120,000, and that oj the Mississippi
is valued at 890,000 dollars, making the sum
of 370,000 dollars annually. They have re
flected upon this trade, and that prosecute.,!
by the whalers on that coast, and are irresis
tibly drawn to the conclusion, that they ate
the most valuable to this nation, and demand
its care and attention in a high degree. Tills
trade, unlike any other, originates its own
capital, and may fairly lie said tn bring into
the United States 370,000 dollars every jreytr,
where not one dollar previously existed, nnd
adds that much to the wealth of the commu
nity as decidedly as though it had been fish
ed from the bottom of the rivers in gold and
silver, as It is in the market of China, or any
oilier market, capable of purchasing as much;
and if, with that amount in furs, a vessel
should sail from the mouth of Columbia to
Canton, which is a voyage of from fifty to
seventy days, she would return with that in
exchange,-which would sell for perhaps dou
ble that amount, thereby contributing to the
comfort, enjoyment, and accommodation of
the community, 7 <9,000 dollars, which is the
result not of a profitable voyage but a crea
tive trade.
It is believed that a shipment of tobacco,
flour, nr cotton, bears no comparison, in point
of pmfit with this, as they are properly the
rough manufactures of the country, and the
result of considerable capital, and the cargo
brought back in return for them, in Europe
an or other fabrics, is only an increased va
lue they receive by being exported, and re
turned to us in that shape. Hence, the ex
portation of £.570,0 00 worth of tobacco or
cotton, should it return to us 7 10,000 dollars
in European silk, and cloth, is still the ori
ginal cargo of tobacco or cotton, as nothing
but these have been paid for them; but, in
the first instance, he who manufactures ei
ther the tobacco, (lour, or cotton,is compel
led to take into consideration the capital
employed ; and then the balance, is his gain;
but in tho fur trade and tile whale fisheries,
there is in the one little capital, in the other
none.
Under the strongest belief that by a new
organization of the system of Indian trade,
comprehending a settlement on the Colum
bia river, great benefits would result to the
citizens of the republic, whilst the aborigi
nes would be better protected and provided
for, by instructing them in agriculture Sc, the
minor branches of the mechanic arts, the
committee ask leave to report a bill.
THE NATIONAL FINANCES.
HOUSE Of REPRESENTATIVES, Feb. 6.
Report uf the Committee of IVays and Means, up
on the subject of the Revenue.
The committee of Ways uud Means, to
whom were referred three resolutions of the.
Sd instant, requiring of the committee to en
quire mid report, “ whether, in their opinion,
the permanent revenue is adequate to the
expenses of the government ;’ “ whether
any measures are necessary to increase tlx
revenue, and if so, tn report those measures;'-’
D, ben'uriM which rnsy
hr issued mi the same,
(c li.naleil at),
(V17.0(i|1
(1,40(1,916
That they have had these important sub
jects under their consideration, and have ob
tained from the several departments all the.
information which the officers at their head
roitld furnish ; yet, such are the difficulties
that present themselves, that they enter into
tlie discussion nnd the statements necessary
to elucidate t he subject, with great diffidence.
They may differ in opinion with gentlemen
for whose talents they have the highest res
pect, and in whose integrity they hate tm-
houmlcd confidence; the subject is one how
ever, on wliich the best friends may lairly
differ in opinion.
In the permanent revenue adequate to the
expenses of the government f
The revenue is mainly bottomed on the
duties arising on the imi>ortalio”s of foreign
goods ; it is, therefore dependant on fortui
tous circumstances, which cannot easily be
foreseen, and w hich may tend to its increase
or decrease; there are some, however, which
can, in a degree, be appreciated. The tur-
iffof 181(5 was expected to operate a loss to
the revenue, by giving till at was considered
at tlie time sufficient encouragement to the
manufactures of the country. A variety of
causey, arising out of excessive and ruinous
importations, and the timaflffiHkMd for di
verting one channel of
into another, has, until la<
effect from being material
ration of that tariff i«
till be
lieved to he considerable how
ever, not completely developed. Its opera
tion on a few of the principal articles may
aflbrd some idea of the it^Rfcpf our lliail ‘
nf.ietmo, and the consj^^^Hecrease of
(lie resulting frtj^^^^Btie* on the
importation of such articn^P^
The tariff of IB 16, increased the duty on
brown sugar about 20 per cent, and gave a
protecting duly to that article of three cents
per pound. No material decrease ha«, as yet,
resulted to the revenue therefrom. The
tariff was enacted during the existence ofthr
excise on domestic distilled spirits, nnd i n
additional duly was import'd for the protec
tion of the domestic article. The excise on
imported spirits was repealed ; the duty was
continued, and the duty on foreign spirits
exceeds,at this time, the whole ralueof the
ilotnertic, the average duty on the imported
bring 13 cents pergallon, when the value in
the market of the domestic does not exceed
.1:5 cents the gallon. This lias tended, it is
believed, toderrea.se the co-iaimiption of for
eign spirits, and, of course, the amount of the
revenue. In 1318, the nett revenue from
imported spirits, after deducting the deben
tures, amounted to 4,648,186 dollars, ami in
1819, to 1,(559, Hit dollars.
The tariff of 1816 raised the duties on cot
ton and woollen cloths from 21 1-2 per cent,
the duty imposed prior to the late, war, to 2b
per cent, and it valued all cotton cloths undrr
a cost of 2b cents the square yard, (although
some cost as low as six cents.) as if they had
actually cost 2b cents, and charged the duty
thereon accordingly. The result has been,
that cotton goods imported frotn India, un
der a cost of 25 cents the square yard, pay a
duty exceeding 30 per cent, on the average
cost of those heretofore imported frotn that
country, and above 4.4 per cent, on the aver
age cost of similar goods when imported
from Europe. The operation has had a sa
lutary effect on our infant manufactures of
cotton, which begins to be understood by the
manufacturers. The importations from In
dia of such cottons as are under a cost of 2b
cents the square yard, have almost ceased,
for consumption, and those from Europe have
decreased, it is believed, to a considerable
extent. The coarse cottons of our domestic
manufactures have entered, it is believed, in
to the consumption of the nation, nearly e-
qttal to the wants of tho,,people. The in
crease of our woollen manufactures has af
forded a considerable quantity cf woollen
cloths for consumption, but we have no in
formation on which to form a decided opin
ion as to its extent. Other important arti
cles of domestic manufactures are silently
entering into competition with thos.: hereto
fore imported from foreign nations.
Those circumstances, auded to tlie dis
tresses of the people, and to the price of our
exports, being such as, in a great degree, to
affect the means of paying for imports, make
it extremely difficult to form correct esti
mate of the revenue, which may arise here
after from duties on imports, ortunated on
that which had been received in former
years.
With those views, which the committee
have deemed proper to submit, they proceed
to answer the first resolution.
They are of opinion, “that the revenue
tehieh will he received in the present pear toill
be. adequate to the expenses of the government;"
and, should no change take place, the reven
ue will, in their opinion, dining the years
1322, 1823, and 1821, be not only equal to
the expenses of the government, but afford
such a surplus,applicable to the payment of
the loan of the last year, end any that may
he authorized for this year, as will, before tlie
first day of January, 1325, fully repay the a-
niount borrowed. The House will remem
ber, that, as the appropriation bills have not
passed, tlie real or true expenses of govern
ment cannot he correctly stated. *The, com
mittee are corn (veiled, therefore, to bottom
their statement on the estimated expenses, as
submitted to Congress, which will, it is con
fidently believed, he reduced at least one and
a half millions of dollars.
It is now reduced to a certainty, that the
actual receipts from the customs into the
Treasury, during th*; year 1820, have been
15,005,328 dollars which amount, it is humb
ly conceived, may fie safely relied on as the
receipts for the present year. The commit
tee are of opinion, thnt the receipts of 1321
(from that source) will exceed that amount.
They form that opinion from the following
■circumstances, to wit. The bonds for duties
in the Treasury amounted, on the 1st day of
October, 1820, to nearly the same sum as
those in the Treasury on the 1st of Octolier,
1819 ; that from those of 181!) an extraordi
nary deduction was made hy the more than
common amount uf debentures issued on the
reslfiprnent of goods during that year ; that
a similar amount of drawbacks, it is believed,
will not occur during the present year ; and,
of course, that the revenue from imports will
he greater in 1321 than that of 1810, and in
this opinion they are confirmed hy the fol
lowing view of the customs for the present
year:
Bonds in tbe Treasury on tho
1st of October, 1829. jjf 18,770,000
From which must fie deducted—
Bonds irrecoverable, 1,260,990
Bonds in suit, which
may not fie received dur
ing the present year, 730,000
Bonds paid in 4th quar
ter of 1899, 2,620,815
Debentures Actually issu
ed, priori’) the l*t Oc-
Eetimated nett proceeds from
those bonds, 0 $ 12,343,185
Add thereto the amount of the
receipts into the Treasury from
bonds taken duringthe last quar
ter of the year 1820, and taken, nr
to be taken, during the two suc
ceeding quarters of 1821, which
bottomed on the receipts into the
Treasury for actual receipts from
bonds taken during the 4lh quar
ter iu 1819. nnd the 1st arid second
quarters of 1920, are estimated to
give, for the preicul year, the sum
of 4,137,205
$ 16,789,380
The committee have snbmttted the preceding
view of the customs for 1821, for the considera
tion of the House, but would not be willing to
pledge themselves for the re«u.f—the items they
believe to be correct—uad the present appear
ance of our commerce, becoming loss unfavor
able, warrants them in the belief, that the re
venue from customs, for 1621, will not be less
tliuu sixteen millions ofdallurs. They, howev
er, deem it more safe to assume tho receipts of
the present, on that of the preceding yeur, and
therefore submit the folio wing statement:
Estimated receipts for 1821.
Customs received in
the 1st, 2d ami 3d quar
ters of 1829, see Secreta
ry’s report, £12,378,613
Customs received in the
fourth quarter, 2,626,8 Ifi
A statement from tbe
Treasury to your rom-
mittce, assumed as the
receipts for 1821, 15,005,328
Land, ugreesbly to th»
report of the Secretary
of the Treasury, 1,600,000
Internal taxes, by same 100,000
Bank dividend hy same 330,000
Tost Office v. inciden
tal receipts, may be esti
mated at 100,000
Estim ateil Expends tu res.
See Treasury report of Dee. 4, 1820.
Civil, 1,769,800
Civilizing Indians, 39,200
Military Department, (5,798,515
Naval Department,’ 2,928,676
1’ublic debt, principal
and interest, for 1821, 6,477,776
. 17,155,328
17,004,OE
(.and revenue,and if so, tu report those Wtasures;” ed, prior Jo the 1st Oe-
",**1 aqd“/t« enquire into the expediency «K pro- tuber, otiose bauds, l.toi.oq*
F.xc*n« of receipts »ver payments, £ 161,311
The preceding statements shew that there will
be a;i excess of receipts over (lie expenditure#,
even if the whole amount estimated for by the
different departments should he granted and ex
pended. But it i* known that the amount it es
timated on the presumption that alt the expen
ditures authorized by law will be required.—
This, however, in time of profound peace, has
seldom Been the case. The reform in tbe ar
ray, uud reduction from the estimates of the se
veral departments, Will amount at least, to one
and a half million of dollars, uud thus confirm
the opinion cxprrired by the committee, “ that
the revenue for lo21 will be fully adequate to
the expenses of government for that year.”
The committee submit their views for the suc
ceeding year#of 18*22, 18i3, and 1924, to prove
the opinion, find the revenue will be fully equal
to the payment of the expenses of government
during those years. In addition to the state
ment given of the receipts from the customs for
the year 1821, and with the view of further elu
cidating tho subject, they submit the following
statement of the receipts derived from (lie cus
toms, laud, Stc. for the years 1817, t818,1879,
and 1820—throe of those years are known to
be tbe minimum years, tbe fourth nut uncom
monly productive.
1817. The customs produced
nett
£ 17,534,778
1818.
do
do
21,828,431
1819.
do
do
17,116,79*3
1829.
do
d*
15,905,328
£ 71,475,539
£71,475,239, averaged
tin four years,
gives tor one year, $ 17,808.809
Although your committee think it probable
that the average receipts from the customs, dur
ing those four years, will be realized for the
years 1822, 23 and 24, yet, under the uncer
tainty arising from tbe view already given,
they consider it more safe to assume i less a-
mount, and therefore submit the follomngstate
ment of receipts and expenditures, aionc which
they have full confidence way be relieu upon
for 1822, 23 and 2-1.
Receipts.
Customs g 17,000,000
Land (per report of Se
cretary) 2,500,00(1
bank dividends 420,(M)(>
Postage and incidental 200,000
20,120,000
Expenditures for those years.
Civil, miscellaneous, ic
diplomatic £ 1,750,000
Civilizing Indians 29,099
Military Department, to wit :
Arming militia 200,0(10
Indian annuities 152,OoO
Itcvolutionui-y pensions 1,200,0!Hi
Invalid pensions 300,000
Fortifications 41X1,000
Indian Department* 170,000
National armories 360,ikh)
Cannon, shot, and shells 50/100
1.779,700
Arsenals
Army proper (includ
ing the ordnance service,
and the military acade
my at W est Point.) esti
mated, agreeably- to the
bill which Ims passed tho
House, at its utmost a-
luuuut.to cost
30,90(1
2,000,000
Naval, including£500,000 per an
num, fur the gradual increase of
tbejnivy, amounting, agreeably to
the estimate for 1821, to
Public debt, (see report)
4,362,000
2,028.676
5,477,9(50
£ 15,046,675
Leaving a surplus of % 5,673,324 per annum,
from which will be deducted the interest on a-
ny lorn thut may be authorized during the pre
sent year.
The preceding view will shew, that the com
mittee, in answer to the second question, to
wit: “ Whether any measures are necessary to
increase the revenue i" m e of opinion, that the
revenue is amply adequate to the expenses of
the government, and, of course, that no mea
sure for its increase is necessary.
To the third resolution, to wit. « Is it expe
dient to prohibit or impose additional duties on
the importation of foteign spirits, and to im
pose an excise on domestic spirits ?” the com-
miltce answer, that tho revenue from imported
spirits amounted, iu 1818 to £2,644,186, in (he
year 1819 tu the sum of £ 1,959,125—and it is
believed, that that of the yeur 1820 will not n-
moimt to the sum received in 1819. But the
committee are of opinion, that the imposition of
an excise, at this time of extreme dlstiess, would
fie unwise, end is not demanded fiy (be condi
tion of the Treasury, nnd (but, if imposed, it
would lie difficult to collect—and, if collected,
it would, in some parts of the Union, be in pa-
per little available to tho Treasury. They,
therelorc,submit their opinion ugainitt any im
mediate imposition of an excise on domestic
spirits, or of any new duty on, or prohibition
of, th« importation oft^ymu**
The committer have thus far confined them-
solve, to the answering of the three revolutions
ivli rrod to them—liny have,however; deemed
it put improper, whit •! on the subject, to sub
mit their views of tlie financial state m tlie Trea
sury.
The demands on the Treasury, necessary 4o
complete tho payments fur the year 1829, are,
I or civil, diplomatic, and mis
cellaneous £855,995 00
Public Hebl, 2,076.913 15
Mississippi stork 071,827 57
Navy Department re-
port ol 21sl llec’r £1,110,090
War Department, a-
gveeably to a letter from
the Secretary, dated 31st
Ian, to the committee of
Wins nnd Menus £ 692,285 75
From which must bo
Inducted, agreeably to
the same tetter, tho ma t
of money in the hands of
lira Treasurer, us Agent
fur that Department, on
the 1st Jan. tho sum of 251,666 30
440,720 45
£6,055,366 17
From which it to bo
deducted—amount of
money IntheTreasury on
the 1 ,t day of Jail. £1,076,271 18
Less the notes ofin-
sftlveirt banks, which
will not be available
during the present year 609,000 00
Leaving, of available funds, in the
Treasury on the 1st January 476,271 13
Balance against the Treasury,on
the Lt day of the present year 4,679,09 1 99
The committee believe the above statement
to be accurate, and that the balance against tilt*
Treasury on the 1st day of the present year a-
tuonuted to the sum of £ 4,579,99 1 99—that ba
lance will, It is believed by your curauiiltee,
,ie reduced by retrenchment in expenditures,
ns already stated, to an amount not less than
one and a half million, which will reduce the
ctual deficit to be provided for, to the sum
of £ 3,079,094 99—say three millions seventy-
nine thousand Hnd ninety-four dollars nnd nine-
ty-aiae cents. But if the estimate of the Secre
tary of the Treasury shall prove correct, to wit
That the customs iu 1821 w ill produce onlv
fourteen millions, then the two years wifi
shew the following result:
Deficit, a.*above, on the 1st Jan. £4,579,094 99
Excess of expenses over receipts
in the year 1821, estimated on
the demands raude by the se
veral Departments, conforma
bly with the existing laws 854,017 00
£5,433,111 89
From which deduct amount of
expected retrenchments 1,500,090 00
£3,933,111 99
The item of £854,017 will be found in the
difference of £ 1,005,328 between the Se
cretary's estiuiiite.snf the receipts from customs
in the year 1*21, and that of your committee :
from which must be deducted the excess of re
ceipts over expenditures of £151,311, in the
view they have taken above the receipts and ex
penditures of 1821, wliich will leuve the item
of £ 854,017.
In this last view, bottomed on the estimate of
the Secretary of tho Treusury for the receipts
iu the present year, there appears to ,hc an no-
tunl deficit hi the two years of 1829 and 1821,
of £6,433,111 99, from which tlie committee
belie re I hut there may fie deducted for retrench-
nt £ 1,5150,000, which will leave the sum oi
£ 3,933,111 99 to be provided for.
The committee have deemed it properto give
to the House those two views of the subject.
If the estimates of the Secretary, off 14,(K' 1,909
from the customs, should prove correct, the a-
mobnt to fie provided ,or will be, as alrendv
shewn £ 3,833,111 99
It that of your committee should
appear to the House as one to be
relied upon, then tbe amount to be
provided for will be. £3,079,094 99
The committee ask leave to observe, that a
more accurate view of the actual amount to fie
provided tor will be taken by your ceniiniltce,
it the appropriation hills shall pass in lima to
afford the opportunity.
The Hou-.e have been correctly informed by
tin Secretary of the Treasury, that it requires
time to transfer the money received in the w*u-
leru states mid in Loiitsintni, to the Tlutiinry,
forwhicli the Secretary asks the aid of £600,lUtt;
that difficulty will, in the opinion of your com
mittee, be surmounted by tbe amount *f appro
priations which will remain unclaimed at the
expiratioh of the present year. The unclaimed
d-mauds of appropriations at the expiration of
each year have, on an average of years, a-
inounted to about three millions of dollars; hut,
as tho appropriations for the present year will
be oi a kind that will tie culled for to a greater
proportionate amount than those of former
yeur*, it would be uiixnfe to calculate on a lar
ger amount than that which would nfibrd tlie
tune necessary to draw the funds from tbe
states mentioned ; but, to that amount, sny
£600,0t>0, nnd to meet unforeseen demands op
the Treasury, the committee are i»f opinion,
that tlie appropriations unexpended at tho end
of the present year will be amply adequate, and,
therefore, they do not recommend any provi
sion therefor.
The House will duly appreciate the difficul-
t ; c* under which thn committee bale acted,
and will pardon unintentiopul errorsj if tmy.—
The committee will only add, that they liave
used every exertion in their power to arrive at
a correct view of the important subjects sub
mitted to their consideration. All wuicli they
respectfully submit.
IX SEX.iTE.—Mosuiy, Feb. 5.
Tho Senate took tip the repirt of the
select coirimit'.ee, nppoinlhil on the sub
ject adverse to the propriety cf at this
time making any reduction in tlie com
pensation of tho members of Congress
or officers of the Executive departments,
Mr. Roberts moved to ament the re
port by striking out the resolution of the
committee, nnd inserting the following
matter as a substitute :
“ Resolved That hereafter the com
pensation of the members of the Senate
and House of ^Representatives, and the
delegates from territories, ought to be
dollars for every day they shall re
spectively attend on their duties, and
dollars for every twehty miles they
may necessarily travel, respectively, in
going to and returning from any session
of Congress ; and that the compensation
olthe President pro tempore of the Sen
ate and tlie Speaker of the House of Re
presentatives ought to ha dollars
for each and every day they tnny per
form the duties of their respective offi
ces.
“ Resolved, That, from and after the
thirty-first tiny of March next, the sala
ries of the Secretaries fif tlie Depart
ments of Stale, of the Treusunry, of
VVnr » antl °f ,ho Navy ; the Attornei
General of the U. States ; the Register;
the first and second Comptrollers ; tin*
first, second, third fourth nnd fifth Audi
tors ol the Treasury j ^Jjie Commissioner
of tim General Hand Office j th* Board
ol Commissioners for the Navy ■ the
Postmaster General ; and the salaries of
nil clerks employed in the several eg
ccutive departments of the government
including those in the General Post Of
lien which nmountannually ton sum ex
reeding eleven hundred and fifty dollars
ought to be reduced per centlJm ^
the mud mutual amount.”
The amendment was ordered to be
printed, and the further consideration of
the report was then, nfter some debate
postponed to Monday the 19th inst. Aves
23, noes 18. J
Wednesday, Feb. 7.
Tlie motion to appoint a joint commit-
tee to ascertain nnd report a mode of ex*
iimining Hie votes for President and Vice.
President of the United States, and of
notifying the persons elected of their
election, was taken up and agreed to •
and Messrs, Harbour and Macon were
appointed a committee on the part of the
Senate.
The Senate proceeded to consider a*
gnin the bill for the relief of purchaser*
of Public Lands ; and,
Mr. King, of N. Y. moved further to
amend the Same by substituting for a
part of tbe bill tlie following nctv sec
tions :
Sec 2. .1iid be it further enacted, That
Rm interest which shall have accrued
before the day ot , upon any
debt of the U. States, for public land,
shall be and tlie same is hereby remitted
anti discharged.
Sec .3. And be it further enacted, That
on all debts due to the U. Stales, which
may have arisen frotn the purchase of
public land, at a price less than three
dollars the acre, a discount, at the rate
of twenty-five percent, shall he allowed
and made ; and that on ail such debts
which may have arisen from the pur?
chase of public land at or above Utreet
dollars the acre, a discount, nt the rata
of thirty-three and one third per cent,
shtiil be allowed and mode ; and tho
persons indebted to the United States a*
aforesaid shall be divided into three clas
ses ; the first class to include all such
person# us shall have paid to the United
States only one fourth part of tbe ori
ginal price of the land by them respecs
lively purchased or held ; the second
cl '•'* to include all such persons as shall
have paid to the United States only one
half part of such original price ; and
the third class To include all such persons
as shall have paid to the U. States three
fourth parts of such original price ; and
the debts of the persons included in the
first class shall be paid in eight equal an*x
nuul instalments ; the debts of the per
sons included in the second class shall
be paid in six equal annual instalments -
and the debts of tho persons included in
the third class shall be paid in four e-
qiial annual instalments ; the first of
which instalments, in each of the classee
aforesaid, shall be paid on tbe day
°f , «nd the whole of the debt afore
said shall bear an annual interest at the
rate i f six percent. Provided always,
that the »atne shall he remitted upon
each and every oftlte instalments afore
said, wliich shall be punctually paid
when the same shall become payable a»
aforesaid.
Sec 4. And be. it further enacted, That i
for i’tilure to pay the several debt* afore-1
said, in manner aforesaid, for tbe term
of three months alter the day appointed •
for the payment of the last instalments
thereof, in each of the classes aforesaid, ■
the land so purchased, or held by that
respective persons indebted to the Uni-’
ted States as aforesaid, shall ipso facto,
become forfeited and revert to the United*
State*.
Sec 5. And be it further enacted, That
no person shall be deemed to be included
within, or entitled to the benefit of, any
of the provisions of this act, who shall
not, on or before the day of
sign and file in tlie office of the register
ot the land office of tbe district where
the land was purchased, a declaratiun iu
writing, expressing his consent to the
saute.
^ And then on motion of Mr.I King, of
N. Y. tlte bill and amendment! were re
committed to the committee,on Public-
Lands.
SATunDAwFeb. io.
Besides ntlipr business of finer impor
tance, the discussion of the grew bill for tin*
relief ol the purchasers of the jifilic Lands
was brought to a close—the bilbeing order-
dored to Ira engrossed for a thd readincx
by the following vote :
Y EAS—Messrs. Barbour, D kerson, Ea
ton, Edwards, Elliott, Gaillaii Holmes of
Miss. Horsey, Hunter, Johqsn, of Lou.
King, of Ala. King, of N. V..night, Lan-
man, Lloyd, Mills, Mnnil, Nolo, Otis, Par*
roll, Pleasants, Haggles, Saford, Smith,
Stokes, Talbot, Tavlnr, Tltonis, Tic lienor,
Trimble, Van Dyke, Walker,if Ala. Wilk-
,er, of Ueo. Williams, of To. Johnson, of
I(y.— 3(5.
NWS—Messrs. Chkndlev Dana, LoiVr
rie, Macon, Roberts.—51
1IOU3K OF UEPR^SINTATIVES.
Tuesday, F*K 45.
Mr. Smith, of Md. fdtu the cWimitte®
of Ways and Means, mat a repjrton tho
state of tlie revenue, patent find pros*
pcctivc, Stc. which was irderjd to lie on
the table. j
On motion of Mr. Cannon, tt wtut
Resolved, That the committee on flit-
litary Affajrs be instructed to enquirer
whether ok not the Miitary Academy*
under the existing law* and regulation*,
is consistent with the principles and pc 1 '
cy of the constitution find BOve^nn>' 4, . ,
tlie United States ; also, tv ino' ,re '.
the expediency of repeaiif>7‘ ,r a ^enrtg
the laws in relation to 8a i(4f c ademy,and
reducing the expeu<Iitnr<»*f to® P'to' lC
money on the same. i
On motion of M/i'WiUum*t of N. C. it
was I
Resolved, Thai the comn*tee of Way*
and Mean* be instructed tt imiuire into
the expediency of pi ohibiiv by law