Newspaper Page Text
13,946,749 60
Rl' PORT PROM TUB iECRKTARY OF THE
1 trkJSuryI on the state ok the
kinances. TMiittt
Ducrmbrr 7, 1840. J
•ft* respectfully submit* to CMfi 1 *
ll* report un the finance t
H* bo* great ph*»»ure in announcing «h»t during
tlra present y**ar the eapenditurea hare been Mill
further reduced; and, though the rtrenue bit not
proved mi lorge n> usual, ill ibo public engagement*,
lav# been met wkh promptitude.
I. The receipt* turf mount for 1840, exclusive of
trusts and the Post Office ha* teen a* ftdlowst
Theavatlsbio Iralance in the Treasury ou the Ul *»T
January, IMQ, it computed tu
have been
The data on which lid* conch-
•Ion re*w, comiecto'l with the uc-
Ural receipt* and expenditure* in
1838, and with the unavailable
condition of a portion of the public
fund*, may bo »o«u in the stale-
mom* annexed.
During the tir*t three quarlor* of
the prevent yeartbo non receipt*
from cuitomt
were $10,«89,884 78
During the same
period the re
ceipt* frm land*
woro 2,630,217 25
Miscellaneous re
ceipt* for the
some timo 77,660 98
Estimated rrc’pts
for the fourth
quortur from oil i ^
theso sources 3,800,000 00
These make the egeregnte of ordi
nnry receipts for the year 17,197,763 01
Add the estimot
ed receipts of
principol omlin
tercst in 1840,
out of urhnt was
due frm former
deposite banks,
but not availa
ble ontho 1st of
January last $850,000 00
Add also the esti
mated receipts
from the fourth
bond of the U.
States Bank 2,500,000 00
Do. from the issue
ofTren'ry notes
instead ofothers
redeemed 5,440,000 00
Aggrognto from
these additional
sources
This will make tho total means in
1840, ns ascertained and estima
ted $28,234,512 01
It is proper to remark, that nboat $700,000 of
the sums computed to be received within the year,
from tlm banks above described, have nut yet been
ascertained to bo piiid, nnd if, contrary to expects
lion, there should be a failure to pay nny pan of
them until next year, it will mako a difference to
that extent in tho pirceding results.
II. The expenditures for 1840, exclusive of trusts
and the Post Office, hnvo boon as follow*:
Fur tho first three minders: civil,
diplomatic, nnd miscellaneous, $4,118,240 64
For tho same lime, military 0,750,784 52
For the samo time, naval 4,620,316 35
Estimates by this Department
(though higher by the uthers) for
all expenses during the fourth
•quarter 5,000,000 00
Theso mako tho aggregate ef cur
rent expenses for the whule year 22,469,349 51
Add for funded d»*bt and inteiest
‘for that of the cities of the Dis
trict of Columbia during the
year, ascertained and estimated 100,000 00
Redemption of Treasury notes, in
eluding principal and interest,as
certaincd during the first three
-quarters (3,629,306 61
Estimate of notes that will be re
deemed in the fourth quarter 425,000 00
8,790,000 00
This will make tho aggregate of
C ayments or expenditures of all '
inds 26,643.6-56 12
Leaving an available balance of mo
ney in tho Treasury on the 31st
December, 1840,computed tube 1,590,855 89
$28,234,512 01
The funds on hand, considered not available for
phbllc purposes, at tho commencement a* well as
cloio of the present year, arc described particulaily
cn tho statement annexed.
Previous to tho close of the year, should Congress
pass any now appropriations which m'dy bo imme
diately expended, an additional charge to that ex
tent will thus be imposed on 1840| nnd irutttount-
ing to any considerable sum, it might prudently be
nccompunicd by some provision of hOw means suffi
cient for its payment.
HI. Tho condition of tho public debt next dia
mond* consideration,
An exhibit of tho particulars of it, whotherfuitd-
cd or unfunded, and of tho payments mado within
the year on account of both, is annexed
Probably nono of tho former kind of debt exists
which is due, except what bus been forgotten, or
tho evidcnco of it mislaid; as oil over chimed) whetli
cr incurred in tho Revolution, or lihcb, hui been
promptly discharged. It is fortuttnto that no ncW
debt of a permanent choranter has bfieh tfetiently crc
tiled by the general Government; and the undbfsign
cd, for reason* formally explained, which need not
be here ropeaieil, tins uniformly coltsldbrad it sound
policy never to incur ono in timo of peace. But it
will bo recollected tbut Congress by an act passed
ih May, 1830, engaged, under special conditions, to
mako puyment of a debt due from the cilia* of the
District ofColumhia to certain individuals sbroad.
Tho principal amounted of $1,500,000, nnd was
to be paid in yearly instalment* of $00,000 each be
ginning the 1st of January, 1841. But the interest
was payable quartetly, and, during the last four
years, has been ivgulurly discharged by the Treasu
ry.
Within the past year, notice has been received
from tho agent of tho creflitors that payment of tho
first nnd subsequent instalments of the principal is
desired to bo made, when due, with punctuality. To
insure a compliance with that wish, it will beneces
•ary, besides meeting tho interest quarterly, to ad
vance $60,000 of the principalat tho commencement
of tho ensuing year; ami the residue must bo paid,
in like amounts, annually hereafter, till the whole is
discharged.
' The canal stocks, assigned to secure those pay
ments,can, by the terms of tlm agreement, be sold
toa d in reimbursing them. But, in the first in
stance, the money is to be taken from the Treaiu
ry, under existing laws, which appropriate sufficient
to discharge all out standing debts; und u sale, if
ubio to bo mado afterwards, must probably be at a
great sacrilficc. Congress may therefore, in it* wis
dum, think further legislation on the subject expe
dient.
This is nil tho funded debt not due, nnd liknwise
all of it not paid, except, as before explained, the
inconsiderable portion* never yet demanded.
In respect to tho unfunded debt: such small parts
as were created previous to 1837, and still remain
unsatisfied, must, it is presumed, be in that condi
tion from some accident, which has prevented a
request to bo made for payment.
Nor has any of it, winch was incurred since,
fallen duo, without being discharged whenever
claimed. .
The whole balance of the four omissions of Trea
•ury notes made since October, 1837, which was
outstanding on tho 1st inttnnl, amounted only to
$4,433,823. This is but 41,675,488 more than at
the close of 1839, nutwiistandfog tho great doeline
in our revenuo sinco, and tho unexpectedly large
expenditures of old appropriations connected with
the Florida war, und the fuitlter adjustment of
claims in behalf of Italians.
Had these events not happened, less even than
that amount of notes would have been issued, and
the Treasury might, withease, have redeemed with
in the year ull that were outstanding.
It could have done the same, ulso, with most of
tqetn, had Cougress, at tho last session, pasted the
declaratory set concerning the tariff, modified tho
•ystem of drawbacks in correspond with the exist
ing duties, and adopted tho propositions made for
J ;roriuatfog the price of tho public lands, as w ell as
arming new land districts-
It must be grulifjing to learn, however, that,
though incomtno-li-il by the failure of these mea
sure*, and lit- unexpected circumstance* before
enumerated, the Department ha* been enabled, by
otbar means under its control, to redeem every note
presented, end to pay, with punctuality, ell debts
that have fallen due.
TbtoretUioT th#aat»«ialGov«nm:ni hu thus
Wen preserved m high, that, Instead ef eacrlficlrg
k» securities at large discounts, as in this and for
eign nations some have been compelled to du with
public stock*, the Treasury notea have continued at
par during the y#ar, though eom bearing en inte
rrat higher than 5 2-5 per cent and sulked wen to
the stoppage of that, eltei sixty d .y's notice.
In fin*-; on e revise «,f the whole eul^ect. our situ
ation respecting a public debt uf an) kind will be
found a most fovnrnble one. Regarded •* an indt
cation either of tho go-id state of the nstionalcredit,
or tite ample resources of lira General Government,
or the discreet legislation rotative to ita (i<el con
cerns,itvriK lie difficult to discover many tits more
ptospeeoes in these respects, Whether in the annals
of this or any other country.
IV. the exports and imports within the yenr end
ing September 38, 1840, exhibit several striking P*
cuiiurittcs. While the foreign commerce of tite
country constitutes lire chii f basis of the revenue uf
tho General 'Government, and is indicative ef the
extent of oar surplus produce, the statistical return*
in relation to the subject must excite constant alien
liun among statesmen and political economists, ns
welj as merchant*
The export* during the \uar are computed ta
h*vo been $131,571,950. This amount is quite
$10,543,534 more than in 1839, notwithstanding
the reduced prico of some of our great staples, and
Is larger than ever existed before in our history.
Of tho wholo exports, only $17,809,333 * ere of
foreign origin. This left those of domost’c origin
at $113.762,617, being $6,845,937 more than in
•iiv previous year.
The import* during 1840 were about $104,805,-
891. Tbl* show* the great falling off from slio nre
viuus year of $57,286,241. It furnishes, lkcwise,
the principal explanation of theextraordimiry dim
iniilion which has occurred in the revenuo from cos
toms; a diminution, however, which ha* been caus
ed, in part, by evasions of the laws, now judiciul
constructions left uucorrccted, and tho payment ol
too largo sums for bounties and drawbacks, under
nn omission in tho existing tariff to reduce them in a
ratio equal to tlm reduction going on in tho duties.
Tho difference beiwoen our exports und imports
hus usually been in favor of the letter. Several
yo&rtago it ranged that way about seven millions of
dollars annually; but, oflcte, tho average lias risen
to neat twenty millions annually; tho excess ofim
port* having been, in 1836 even, $61,316,995, und
in 1839, $41,063,716. But during 1840, the extra
ordinary occurrence of a reverie in this stata of
things has taken place. Such a circumstance a*
the exports at all exceeding the imports, is believed
to hnvo happened previously only six time* sinco
the Constitution wns adopted; nnd then* never toon
extent beyond $7,916,831. Now, however, with
out nny inflation, and in soma importune articles
under a contraction of prices, the oxcess of exports
is not only more than ever Was known before, but
quite threefold greater, Leing computed to equal
$26,766,059.
This oxcess having failed to produce tho usual
corrosnonding increase ofimportt, but, on tho con
trary, having been uccompanidd by a diminution
never previously equalled in amouut, except under
tho influence of thb nmborgo in 1808, tho wholo
matter furnishes another proof of tho hazardous
fluctuations in therhief sourco of our present rove
nue, which Congress bus been requested so repeat
edly to gunrdngatnit by some permanent provision.
Ills also a-trong illustration of tho probability
oftlio conjecture expressed in lliu last ffnnualrew
putt, that tho country had became alarmingly in
dobted abroad; in part on ordinary mercantile credit
hut chiefly on sloriks of corporation? and States.
To meet wlrnt would soon bo duo fur interest
alone, it wns then supposed would require twelve
or thirteen millions of Uni export*; nnd which, in
that event, would of course' furnish no returns in
imports. Tho smite result must follow yearly, till
tho old stocks are redeemed, unless new ones cun,
for some time longer, bo sold; and the difficulty le
thus deferred, though merely At the expense of in
creasing the wholn ultimate indebtedness-
But it is a source ofgrcat satisfaction to witness
the indications which tho unprecedented Amount of
exports, during the lust four yenrs, has given of the
continued prosperity of the country.
Notwithstanding snmo depressions in particular
branches of business, or in particular placet, tho
general prosperity hns boon slich ns to create a
large surplus of products, and to enable us to send
abroad immense and increased values of them, how
ever great tho complaints huve been as to low
prices.
Theso official records ore some of the most au
thentic tests of truth, amidst contradictory conjee
tures on topics like these. They show that wc have
been able to spare, in exports of domestic pioduc
tions during tne lost four years, quite, $403,894,743
in value; while in no previous term of tbut length,
siace the adoption of the constitution, have they
exceeded $359,447,622. Except in the last two
series of four years, they havu never gone beyond
$239,576,749:or not two thirds as high as from
1837 lo 1840. The whole tonnage of the country
has al«o ndvunccd within the four years past, more
than 20,000 tons.
Seldom,indeodi if over, has the navigating inter
est, one of the great exponents of our wenlth nnd in
creuied commerce, been so prosperous us within
the lust twelve months.
It is true that u portion of tho increase in exports
may be ottriLiiioble to some alteration in the lin
bits oftlio community,not connected with additional
weuliht
Tile disposition in families to rely less on their
own resources, und obtain more by meuns of men
cantilo exchangesnbroud us woll ns at home, hns,
without doubt, grown more rnpidfy uf lute years
than formaly, und tended to augment both the im
ports nnd exports lioyond what tho real increase in
tho amount of products would indicate. Yet the
great excess of exports during tho last few yenrs,
over those of previous times, cannot all hnvo arisen
from these circumstances. Grunting, howevet,
(hut some of it has; the consequences to that extent
and in another view of the subject, are not so well
calculated to excite gratification. The increased
dependence which the change of habits; in selling
and buying so much tliureof what isednsumed, hns
occasioned between different countries and those
engaged in different avocations, ns well as the in
creased Credit lint* detntfndcd through ninny new
ramifications, and the greater subjection thus pro
duced of almost every pursuit to the evil* attendant
«m fluctuations in prices, on bank expansions, und
revulsion in cofomerco have probab.y exercised un
influenceon tho events of the lust four years nut in
considerable nor salutary. Combined with oilier
causes, they must certainly have tended to effect a
vrido and unfavorable alteration in public manners;
and mny. in time; inflict an injury on the morals and
character of the nation; which will more thancoun
terbalance all tho gains in wealth.
V. Tho estimates of tho receipts and expend!
lures for 1841 next demand attention.
The actual receipt* nnd expenditures in that year
can, of course, be so regulated by Congress, through
new legislation, os to reach nearly any amount it
may deem proper, But tho undersigned can neith
er inctenifi nor diminish them; though A duty it de
volved cn him. in respect to the subject, while at
the hood of tho Treasury, which be now proceeds
to perform—of presenting some opinion concerning
tho amounts to which, under the existing laws, and
the calls of the different departments, they are like
ly to attain.
Ha will further suggpst any genoral chnnges which
appear to him expedient, as well as any new means
deemed necessary to meet all the burdens, which, it
is opprohended, may be imposed.
Tho estimates for the ordinary receipts and ex
penditures in the ensuing year differ some millions
from what will bo actually received and expended
In the present ono,
It is calculated, however, that the difference will
bo what is alvvuys most desirable,—some increase
of the receipts, and a further diminntion of the ex
penditures.
The estimates for the latter, in the present year,
were mado less than thoso of 1839; and the results
have corresponded. Indeed, it is a cause of much
gratification that the expectations heretofore cher
ished, of materially reducing the public burdens,
have been verified to so great an extent. Thns, the
expenses of 1838 fell below those of 1837, while
the expenses of 1839, notwithstanding thocontinu
ance uf the Florida war, were nearly eight millions
below those of 1938; and it is expected that the
expenses of 1840 will be from two to ihreo millions
still lower, or quite ten millions lest than those of
1838.
They would have been nearly twelve millions less,
bad not that war continued, and unusually large pay
ments been made to Indians, under old appropria
tions.
It is believed that the ordinary expenses of 1841,
ought to full some millions below those in 1840; ns
the pensions have diminished by deaths, fewer In
dians remain to be removed, several expensive pub
lie buildings havu boon mostly finished, and hostili
lie* with the Seminolos must be nuorer to n close.
More details concerning the estimates for the te xt
year, will be proper, and will illustrate tbo correct
ness of some of the preceding result*,
It may bo staled, from the best data in possession
of this Department, tint the receipts, under tbo ex
folio
From mitre laneoui $0,000
Add the expected balance in the Tree
suty, available on the 1st of Janet
ry next 1,580,853
Tho aggregate of ordinary mean* for
the nrxt yeat would then be 24,1W,'855
There wdl be nothing more, either of
principal or interest,due fiom banks
«hcb is likclv to lie matin availa
•ble, except about 220,000
power will exi*t, under the net of
31 it March, 1840, to issue Tiaasn
ry note! till a ycarfrom its passage
expires, but nut to make the whole
finis,ion outstanding at any one
lime exceed fivo million* of dollar*.
This will furnish additional means,
cnunl to the computed amount
which can ho issued at the close of
the present year, being about 342,618
Hence, there maybe added, from
these several sources,*n much ns to
make tho whole meuns for the next
year
On the other hand, the expenditures
for 1841 for ordinary purposes, if
Congress make noiedurlion in tho
appropriations requested by tltedif
ferent departments, utc ostimutvd
This would leave a balance in the
Treasury, at tho cioso of the year,
equal to
But certain payments must alio bo
made on uceountof the funded and
unlundod debt, unless Congress au
thorize contracts to be I rmed for
extending the lime of their pay
ment. Thus, there will bo re
quired—
On nccount of tho funded debt,chiefly
fur tho cities of this District,
For the redemption ofTrensiiry notes,
if all the others be issued which cun
he under tho present law, us then
the amount relumed within A. D.
1841 will probably not exceed
19,250,000
5,473.473
$149,201
4.500,000
$4,049,200
$824,273
$064,000
149,200
4,500,008
isting laws, will probably be as follow it
From uusioms
Ftom Uadi
$10,000,000
3,500,000
Estimated hnlnncc in tho Treasury at
' the close of the next jeur, alter all
payments whatever
Thus it will lie seen that if tho whole of there
charges, both ordinary nnd extraordinary,should bo
required to bo extinguished in 1841, the estimated
means will be sufficient for thnr purpose, but mny
not, besides, leave so Inrgo n balance in the Treasu
ry ns is convenient and useful. The best mode of
obviating any difficulty which might arise from that
circumstance will tuon be considered by itself.
For some futliter general view of the grounds of
the estimate of the expenditures for 1841, it will be
ticcessury toudverl a lew monisms to the new nnd
old appropriations from which tltoso expenditure*
me to bo made.
Ths new ono*, proposed by the different Depart
ments for the Service of 1841, amount to $16,621,-
520 28.
Vis: Civil, diplomatic) nnd miscella
neous $3,450,7 40 13
Military 7,725.440 94
Nuvul 5.44.i,339 21
Besides tbete, certain permanent appropriations
under existing luwa will become chargeable on the
Ticusury during tho next year, in stuns as follows:
For ordinary purpotcl
Military
For other purpoeer.
Public debt, including interest and
first iuMalmenl fur the District of
Columbia
Redeeming Treasury notes
There would make tho now charges,for ordinary
purposes, under both new und permanent uppiopriu
lions amount to $17,485,520 28. But, including
the public debt end the redemption of Treasury
notes, those charges would be $22,134,720 28.
It will bo perceived, therefore, that ilia aggre
gate of actual expenditures during 1841 has been
computed to be $1,764,480 higher than tho estimat
ed amount of new and permanent appropriations.
This is do ie not only bccuure sumo smull oversight*
have doubtless occurred in the latter, and, un-
avoidable omissions, ns will Lu seen by the notes,
but some new privutc bills, grunting money,may bo
passed by Congress, and u grenter proportion of
the outstanding appropriation* at tbuend of 1840
(though reduced os much us three or four millions
less than at tho end of 1639) muy ho expended in
1841, than will be left unexpended of the now chat
gns imposed. Theso lust two items are usually
compuied to equal each other. The Departments
calculated that $6,661, J23 of the old appropriations
will be required to complete tho purposes oiiginully
contemplated by them.
They propose only to apply about $3,749,904 of
them to the service of the ensuing yitnr, without ru
appropriations; and the residue, amounting to $133,
878. is expected will go to the surplus fund. They
estimnto the whole ofthem at tho close of the year
to bo $10,549,905.
VI. A few more explantalions of other grounds
for the estimates of receipts and expenditures for
the next year may houseful.
It w ill be noticed thut the estimates for both are
founded principally on tho existing laws. Should
Congress,llivrelbro,alter the tariff,no ns to increse or
reduce tho duties, the expected amount of receipts
must of course be vnried in that proportion.
Soittnustbo if Congress makes any essentiul
change in resport to the publid lands, nnd either
pnssen a graduation bill, und creates new land dis
tricts in wliir.lt surveys aro ready for large sules, as
this would inercuse tho immediate receipts; or if, on
the other hand,if its hoUld distribute the proceed* of
the sales amohg the Siutbs, as that would dimiohb
the revenue applicable to tho purposes uf the Gen
oral Government, und render a resort to new taxa
tion, nn increased tariff, or a loan, indispensable,
to the extent of the distribution*
Tho estimates of tho receipts from customs have
lirenlessond somewhat, becunso the importation uf
certain articles paying a duty will in 1841.be par
tially postponed to 1842, in consequence of the
great reduction in tho tariff on them which will takb
place in ihn Inner year under the existing laws.
So have they been on account of tho grenter pro
pdrtinnn.te bounties nnd draw bucks which orb now
returned on several nrticlea. and some beneficial
operation anticipated frum the Independent Trea
sury in checking speculation.
On the contrary, the revulsions In business which
have occurred since the middle of 1839, and dooply
affected the revenue of some oilier countries as well
ns our own* and the protracted susprnsion of specio
payments liy many of the banks, which hits contrail
ed over u large (mi l uf tho United Suites since Octo
ber In that year, will probably terihliiote soon, by (ho
snlntnry reaction of grout commercial principle*)
and that event must be accompanied by a considera
ble increase ufitnports and duties, 'The amount of
lie latter, therefore, has been Cstifnntcd higher thnn
the actual receipts in tho present year, but not so
high as they were in 1839 by about twd millions, nor
so high as many anticipate tlmy will be. UUt if this
banks do not speedily resume, It is to bo feared that
the estimate will profro larger, instead of smaller,
than events will verify'
Tho revenue from lands must continue to be low-
erunder the preterit luws limn might o.herwisebe
expected, because tlint portion of tho vast antes in
1835 and 1836 which were mode to speculators,
must forsomeycurs longer come inlothe market in
competition with tho Government; and the emigra
tion to Texas, as well as the cominuunce of the soy
pension of specie payments by the banks over much
of the West and Southwest, is likely to oporate In
juriously somewhat longer, though probably with a
force much diminished.
In respect to tho estimntes for expenditures, it
need only be observed in-re, that any considerable
addition mado by Congress to the new appropria
tions called for, would require n provi-ion of further
means to meet them, corresponding in nmount;and
any diminution in thoso appropriations would nlso
reduce, in a similar manner, the amount of means
otherwise necessary.
VII. It is proper to advert next to tire best mode
of avoiding anv inequality between lira anticipated
receipt* und expenditures, either in lR41or 1842.
It bos already been shown that the whole amount
of rcteip's in 1841 will probably be suffiriont to dis
charge all ordinary expenditures, and those parts of
the outstanding rfubt, funded or unfunded, which
may become due. But the preservation of a suit*
ble balance in tho Treasury may require more than
what will probably bo left after satisfying other pur
(inses. Tho raising of any strrn for that object in
1841 could, howover, bn obviated by uuihnrixing a
contract to Ini made, under proper restriction*, ex
tonding the (tcriixl of payment for a portion of lira
temporary liabilities falling due in that year. Yet,
in the opinion of tho undersigned, ti e b*«t modnof
providing for Ibis care would be, without either an
extension of ibis kind, or a loan, or a further issue
of Treasury notes, ora chang* in the tariffi but mure
ly by lessening tho appropriation for the service of
IMI Mow tire estimates, or by pssslnf aach decta
raid) clauses as to lira present tariff, ami Mia
as to lira public Ural*, as hare herrfofnrr town urged
on the ronsidei-atlnn of Congress.
Tlraargunranls In favor of some fonhrrdlnilVlurion
In our cx|K*nditurrs, and lira general Items In Which
lira reduction U considered most comnatibto With
lira pubic Interests, were au fully eahlbltrd In tbu
Un two annual reports as In render a repetition ol
them unnecessary.
It Was then Mievrd that the laws could Ira alter
rd so a* to admit of safely curtailing tho approprU
linns aloncti, In such an extent that lira expenditures
lined not cxrecd,in lira aggregate, seventeen or
eighteen millions yvariy. A Tier more ofthe pensions
in minute, and the removal of the Indians it com
pletcd, they could be beneficially contracted to even
less than tlint amount. Such a reduction■* lefirst
adverted to seems, therefore, proper to Iks adopted
now, sinre it could bo eflerled without lira pinbabil
ily of injury touny useful national establishment,
would promote public frugality, and supersede tho
necessity either of higher in riff-, direct taxes, or per
ninnent debt*.
If tlint Ira tint done, the secondary mnnvure* bn
fore suggested, mii'li ns n diclaratoiy net to enforeo
the present torifl*. usuhnbti) modification of the draw
backs And bounties; and lira passage iff bills graUnk
ting the prico of public lands, ns well A* creating
some new districts for llrasnloof them, would Ira
likely, if Inking effect early, tuyiold n suitablo supply
in the conran of the yenr.
It will bo nbsnrvod, however, that though, under
either of these arrangements, enough might be ob
tained within the whole of 1841 for tbo object* con
tempUted, yet not a due or sufficient proportion in
the first quarter; because by tlint time all the moot
urenaro not likolyto goimofull operation,nor mtrch
of tho anticipated inrrooso to happea in tho actual
receipts of duties under existing In'frs. Unusually
heavy expensua will also fall on that quarter in the
next yenr. In addition to a full portion ofVnust of
tho current expenses, and tbo wholo pension puy
ment* for tho first half of tha year, and one third of
a million, nr more, for all tho annual fishing boon
ties, there will bu Imposed on It most of tho c liar get
for lira whule yoar connected with thn sekiduii Of
Congress and private bdls, ns woll A* large payments
for inking the cnnsus.anj for lira first inslulmonl of
the debt of this District; several of them us early
even ns tho first day of January.
From theso circumstnncos,and the considerations
that ull which is duo from thu banks may not bo
(lion paid, nnd tlrat tb« bnlnnco In the Treusmy, un
dor tbo policy adopted by Congress of lata yourii,
will of necessity bo small, whiilo tho lluctuAtiohs
and inequalities are very grout Iratween the receipts
and expenditures in different portions of tbo year,
to which wo aro constantly expeind from causes
(but hove on formor occasions been oxplalntd at
length,it mutt bo obvious that entire safety requires
a conditional power to bo seasonably conferred on
tlra Executive to obtain nt nny timo with 1841 such
subsidiary means ns mny be needed for a few months,
and ns may bo sufficient tt* cnttbto tbo Treasury
punctually to discharge, during tbut you*, w\\ lhu llu
bilities imposed by Congress.
There is another contingency under the existing
laws, as to duties, which requires attention, with a
view to he properly prepared lor it! though legisIH-
lion concerning the subject is not necessary so early
us in the other case, because tho event on which
it depends cunnot actually happen till tho year
1842.
-J-fc
tof tlram t A all disbursing Ml cars of every channel
under the (leftrHI Gereratneat would be Judicious.
A farther provliVto oba, rtkpMtlng the place* of
deposite, by dlsharalng alflcsre, of money not In the
VreMtfrtr, but drawn ont and fuft Irrto their hands
for rnaVtny payffietiu, appears tracakkarV.
Thb keeping of such money Is now reguUtrd hy
the set ofMw March, 11091 and If It II Intended
to bring It within the epernilontf thn late lew as
to money In tho Treasury, it tfMMi ftrtper to do so
by an enpltrit enactment.
Tho lection requiring dlihurtlng offidSVi to nil
their drbfli for Iprcle eMne, thMgh ierteln flropdr
tlone of paper nre allowed to be YscfciVrd luT all
public duet, appi-an not to fee In tynflttelry with
tlioioothrrpruviili.ni. Tho ftneral Inllnenoeof
the present System Is believed to have boon thus far
salutary, Tlra ttue standard of vallra has been inn
dried more familiar,confidence has (men increased
in its stability, prices have gradually tlsen, business
improved, and exchangee altered greatly f r tho
better. '.
If something has Iracn nr may Ira lost In convrnl
ence, (which it not unlikely,) hy tho increasing dl*
Use of a paper currency for public payments, much
rturte Will probably bo gainad by tlra clrcwm*tances
bofoVo onbfocYateJ, At well at by tbo greater securi
ty in the use of specie, the MflVc stable value Impart
ed by\lra pr’AteiVi kystom to property and Ubm, and
thn strong check established by it, not only Against
defalcations,but against hank eXpAWklons.eXietsIve
•peculations, and cummcttf&l mnAuattdnA,
Even nny Inconvenience attending \hl* Change In
the currency used, If found particularly «mhatrais
ing, can he overcoWrc hereafter, and the s^Steta Mill
nramUined, »h»A)d < Cmt|pess feel dispoled Vo Adopt
the measure which Wak Suggested for that purpose
by tho trthWsighed ih SefteYnber, 1837,
SuCh A measure would olflCYi ftflYiish cVery advan
tage of a Circulating medium, AAsy oftransportutlon,
of tho highest possible Credit, And nt the samh time
requiring CP riyunl'a'ihn'unt eff kpccto to beemptAyed)
(though In deposite.) ahd without SuWriftlVng Any of
tlra fires I 'affairs of the Government to tiia't legal do
pende'h'CA oh CorpCiothms fot their managemen*,
which \s *r> otyt-ctlcriiddu In many respects, as never
to hnvA bech Attempted in lira management uf any
of its other Affairs, civil or military.
Thu topics of tlra condition of the banka or tho
Union, tlra statu of the currency, the proper place*
of deposite for the public funds, and htlior foutteV*
immediately connected Vrith them, have engrossed
a considerable pnfrtfffrt ttf the AtihVial reports from
this Department fm- rtteYAl ye'Ark.
But the kAepftVg of tlra ftionuy In tho Treasury be
ing now sepnVnYAd IVitoi the bAnks.nnd tho kind of
money IP Ira tWSelVed'And paid Cut liked by no* Ip-
gal provisions, it is not considered material nt this
time further to discuss theso manors, than to submit
the genoral remarks which will bo found at tlra cioso'
of this communication.
(To be continued )
(Flora our Corespondent.)
House r ttErar.-ENTATivrs.
SAT AM" IT AH,
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1848.
Thus the progressive reduction nf tho preionl to
riff, which hu* been going on siuce 1833, will, nftor
Deccmbct, 1841, tuko effort to a much larger ox
tent than heretofore. Neurly two millions and
linlfofdollurs will then be deducted at once.
Oil the 1st ufjuly afterwards, at least two mil
lions and a half more of dm ie* will ho romovod; mnk
ing nn aggregate,in six months,of ouiio five millions.
If the imports then should not differ much from
tlmtii in 1838, this Would lenve an income from
them, not probably exceeding ton or eleven million*
of dollars yearly. It will ilh-Vefore be necessary to
make cm responding reductions in the expenditures
of!842, or seasonably provide otherwise, in somu
permanent manner, to supply any wants likely to
happen from this cause.
Should Congress conclude that such reduction in
tho expenditures ‘Cannot properly be made, and that
tile imports for 1842 will not increase beyond thoso
in 1838, thn Amount of tho deficiency would, in those
events, probably differ hut Utile from five millions.
Such a deficiency would, under those circiimstunces,
lie likely to become permanent,& may be considered
tho liras of that character which will occur under
tho iaiitrai'rit Uf
Thu idea thut auoh adifidoncy in time of pen'eo
ought to bo supplied by issues of Treasury notes', or
by a loan, hns never been enicrtuined by tlra unde
signed. Nor cnii it bu countenanced by nny sound
principles either of finance or political economy,
Tho inquiry then recurs, what other mode would be
more eligible? When wo possessed jin oxtrnordina
ry surplus, ft was considered prudent by Congress
to mnke deposite* with tlra Suites, with a view to
be returned in un exigency, rather titan to invest a
portion ol'it safely nnd productively, so as tdhu re
alized in such nn event. It would tlioreforo bo qon
•istent with that arrungenmnt lo recall, in 1842,
such part of lira-ut plus us may be then needed.
That course, however,appoura not voty likely to
bo adopted, since the fount r power given to this Do
partmont lo recall theso deposite* has been taken
uway by Congress.
Another practicable mode would be to resort lo
direct taxes. But this is suuusuitcd to the general
hnbits, nnd an tincongeriinl to tho opinions ol most
of our population, that it* adoption is nut tube an
ticipated. Some other permanent resource must
then be looked to. The clu-ico will probubly rest
between the large reduction of cX(Htnditurcs, with
tho other accompanying measure* bafuro specified,
and some extensive modification of lira pro-ent ta.
riff. Expluuationshavu heretofore been given hy
tlra tindoisignrd inluvorof ilraformorcourscj and it
would probubly prove sufficient to (tract the emer
gency, if lira reduction-bo pushed vigorously, nnd es
[racially if lira imports ufier 1841 shall cxcccli tliuifa
in 1838, which is regarded as probable.
But Congress mny not coinride with him in opi
nion on these points, and, for covering the cuntingen
cy, mny consider tho adoption of some permanent
chungoin the Inriff as prelurable, and as not too ertr
iy at tlra present session, to give full notice of its
character, before going into operation, in order that
the different interests mo-t olfected by it (hull huve
time to bccouragrudunllyndjnAicd tbits provisions.
In that event, it might Ira -upjfored that lira tilt-
dersigned laid avoided duo responsibility, add a
timely discharge of duty, if Ira Were not prepared 1(1
offer some views concerning the details, *s wo,l as
general principles, which he deems applicable to
such u change. I Ie ha* therefore examined tlra sub
ject, and is reudy Id present the results ot any (Ho
ment oither Uuu»u i f Congress shall express n w ish
lo that 'ffuct. But ho refrains from submitting
tl.cin without a special request, because somu doubt
exists, under circnniitanrc* which enn bo properly
appreciated, us to thu delicacy of Iris discussing u
rncusure at this time, which the L<'gi-lniure truly
not consider it necessary to uci Oil till u fluvV Con
gress assembles.
V111. Tho mode of krepifig thb public money re
cently established by Congress, bus thus far au
swered the expectation! uf this Department.
Tlra numerous labors, pciph-xitie*, und delays of
putting n new System into operation, have bourt most
ly overcome, and no losses whatever nre known to
have occurred under it.
Somu of lira provisions in tho law aro deemed
objectionable in their d- lnill, add aro respectfully
recomrfiended to Congress for revision.’ But they
ore not supposed to affect in tl.e slightest degree
any nrinciplo involved in the measure.
Thus, tho ordinary clerks authorised aro numer
ous enough, yet o principal one ii ncedej at New
Ymk city, with such compensation ns is usual ut a
jilucoof so large nnd impoiinni bu-iness.
On full inquiry, it has been found also that no
site could probably be purchased fur the erection of
nn office at St. Louis, which would Wemoro suitable
than a lot now owned by the United Slums; und it
may bo, under a further examination Which is in pro
gress, that no new building could be erected oil lliul
site, which would provu mure economical and con
venient, than one which can be purchased already
erected. A suitable change in tho appropriation
on that subject is therefore respectfully recommend
ed.
A provision is needed likewise fn case of varan-
cies, from any cuuse wbatewr, in lira office* of re
ceivers getieial arid treasurers. One lias formerly
been asked in refill ion to collector* of the customs,
in cusos of removal* and expirations uf the terms of
office, to prevent un interregnum in lira discharge ot
lira duties. This might piop- rly be adopted as to
tbsm, and extended to receivers genoral and the
Treasurer of the United Suites, as well as of the
Mint and its branches, in all instances whatever of
vacancy or temporary inability of tho principal.—
Perhaps the least objectionable mode to effect this
object would Ira, lo direct that lira chief clerk of ull
llioso officers, should in such cases, n> d whuro no
other legal provision now i xisl*. be authorised xml
required to discharge those duties, at tho risk und
under the responsibility of lira principal and Ids
seouiitioa, till lira vacancy is filled, or tha disability
removed.
In consequence of some defects In tha phrassolo
Flag ofibefree ! still bear thy sway,
Undiniin'd through ages yet itHttlld i
O’er earth’s proud realms thy starldikplttyr,
Like morning’s radiant clouds utmillAri;
Flag nf the skies! still peerless shitti,
Through ether's asure vault unfurled;
Till every hand andheart entwine,
To sweep oppression from the worii) .
FOR CONGRESS,
COL. JOHN If. WATSON,
OF MUSCOGEE.
Electioaon the first Monday in Jnnunry.
HARBORMASTER.
Copt. John LoW was on Thursday laltHl-atpcifcd
by the M*y or and AldtffWen; HarWM'dtiel* of this
port;
INTELLIGENCE EXTRAORDINARY.
Under this hoad the Editor of the Republican
yesterday announced, that " • fresh Shad from tho
Savannah Iliver was yesterday served up at the din
ner tnblo of the Pulaski Houib^-jirolfiibly the first
of (lid iedioh. We ofl'ch the esjir'eiilon of oilr syrtt.
polity to iliose who read this announcement without
having hsd the pleasure of tasting the morctau."
Now, this is too bad f ( For lha Editor, who is so
forinnnte ns to occupy a chair at the I’ulaskl table,
and thus taste of the good things of mine host, to
tantalise hit Democratic friends with such intelli
gence. But we have one comfiirt in our misfortune
his Shad heralds the arrival ofothets in oilr liver,
and when they Hrb pleHly wo ahull treat ourself to
n taste. Then—but wit shall \Vd!t dfid itlako ho
rash promises.
llt)N. henry clay,
It Is said by the Harrison Presses; Ifni Hben de
clared hy General Harrison ns ** the Ihteit (nan in
the Nation for the Presidency, and that lie himself
would reri(fd the office ill (jnce, on bis arrival at
Washington, were it possiblu for IliHi, by sli.dwing,
to confer It on the distinguished Kentuckian."
This il setting little valtie nil the effort* rrtodo,
ottd thb hinh'oy squandered In circling Iho Old Goti-
chri. We sbspect tlidt his political friends in those
States, North of the Potomac, which presented him
ns ike avnialle candidate, will muke wry faces o'
lira declaration nf him, who now speaks without the
old (if d Committee. General Harrison, though In-
compeient for the ftosl of Pilot over the ship of Staib-
is too honest, not to disclose the truth surqetimes.
H anrt Ct.it, certainly, is a distinguished bititen.
But his talents for public usefulness are shadowed by
the fact that o glittering prise tempted him to resoH
Id a ea/e precedent; as he believed tlra berth of
Secretary of Slate, and to lurnagainst (be Cbndldato
of lira people his political influence.
Tlra ana of the LawyeHtd hoi avail, however,
tho ambitious Siatdsriiflti, nrid fie fell from his high
station in the ranks uf Republicanism to consort
with a minority, Whom he elevated to a Jour years
power.
Georgians of 1825 can testify how that power
was used.
Since that era Mr. Clat has enjoyed political
notoriety, it is true, but at the expense of that edrly
fume, Which had endeared him i/p to i825 to thu
peoplb of this counter;
AX lo Grirar'dl Harrison being willing to tetffh
his office, If ii cuufil be done, In ftivdrpf ME Clay,
every ono will form his own opinion. We would as
soon expect to see it us rite man in the moon.
INFERIOR COURT—Spkcial Session.
On Wednesday, their honors M. Myers, Francis
Sorrel, W. T. Williams, and Anthony Porter, met
to try Tom, a slave.
Charge—Murdet.
After a Very balm iriils’lfghtion nf tfi’fs fafctd, the
prisoner was found guilty of Manslaughter, the
man Ira killed was of Ills own color.
Ho was this day sentenced to receive Jl) la-h'es-
und be branded With the If tier M.
Counsel for tfibState-A’Robi; W. Pooler dhd A-
Drysdale, Ettjr*.
Counsel for rite Prisoner—M. H. McAllister, f.
8. Bartow rfnd H. K. Pre#ton/ Esqr*. -
[ Tile graph.
Attempt to ict Are.—An attempt was made on
Monday night last, to set fire to tbo dwelling of ibe
Hon. Isaac E. Holmes, on East Bay, near the Bat
tery, by placing fire In one of the sleeping apart,
ment* in the fourth story. No discovery of the In
cendiary has been made. A man wo* seen rushing
from tb* house.—C’A. Patriot, 16tk inti.
Bunk of Ike United Stutee.—The New York
Mii.LBtKiKVti.i.B, 17th Dee., 1140.
Deer Sir—Vlra bill to Impose, levy end collect ■
la a for the political year 1841, on property both real
mm) personal, •» l Informed )ou yerterdsy, was neg
atived by the House—yeas 81, nays 103. When
the Itutifo met at 8 o’clock. Mr. Crawford, of Rich’
mond, offered a stibstlt uiefor the Report of the Cum*
mltteenf the Whole, te alteram! amend lira several
acta in ralatidn to mark, tiro provisions of Mr.
Crawford's bill wore sternly rrjectod, as Us provis
ions had trtany features nf nn adoalortm tax, o*d
wat cuttlldercd oppressive, Mr. ToetVtbs was fore*
ntokt In Rejecting it. This Wnsum'-d ull thn evening
in discussion tintll tlmftrinVof adjouVmtient.
Tlie hill Wat lo*i, ami on motion this morning, til'd
original bill was reconsidered and pnssed. This
bill assume* nil the prmislons oftlio t»x net of 1804
with some slight exceptions, It was supposed hy
many memlxtr* that they should bo onnblu to pass
any bill for raising taxes, haring been foiled fit two
attempts to do to. Tho Biennial session bill Irav.
ing burn drawn up anew and in a different form
fiumtlio one which pniied some days sincn(in which
there wero found some constitutionnl objections)
passed the House last night nn its third reading,
and was ordered to bo sent to tlra Senate. Tbo yea*
and nays on its passage were—yens 134, nays 21.
lire bill to repeal un act entitiud nn act lo ullcr
ahdimend an act mure effectually to secure the sol
vency of ull the banking institutions in this State,as
pnsioil 24th Due. 1832, and assumed to 21st Dec.
1838, was also phased.
Tire Mil to b*tah||sli n Register Law for the
Cdirtriy of Chatham and City or Savannah, came
up Hi itfe efrder InA Vilght. Mr. Stiles arose and
stated ttlttho had introduced tha bill in alradiancn
tu a duly which ha owed to his constituents, but that
he euuld not advocato It, oVtd having introduced il,
he would not onpi lo It, but asked that lira mcmo<
Hui accompanying lha bill Might bo road, before any
tctfihiWas hAd tipnn lift subject.
Mr. Crawford iff Richmond, llratt Introduced a
substitute, staling nt hit opinion, that tha originn]
bill was iincnnstittiitoirai.
Mr. Mlflrn thoh rasa nhil spok'd at some length
\Vi'tb mirth ability, In opposition to thd hill, and con
cludrii bytinlltog mi tho gemlemhW from Richmond
to withdraw Ids suhstfiutu, and alluW lira bill to pass
off upon its own morlt*.
Mr. Crawford replied, that the AiihktitUVe Was fit
tbo possession uf rito House, and cotdd not be With
drawn, but lliut ho would meet tbo object of tho gen
tleWdtiv, by moving \o lay tho bill ami substitute on
the tnMo for tho balnurti of tho session. Curried-
This morning Mr. Crawford moVml to reconsider
the bill,nnd after a few rotnurk* from Mr. Milleir,
tlra reconsideration Wuk lust.
Wednesday, Dec. 16.
Tho Sennto has paired lhu following bills of tho
Houxe of HOprckenmtivos*.
TO establish & trihVuVM foV iho Itlal of slaves with
in this Slate, pussod 16th Dec. !8tl, to far as ro
speett tlra county of Mclntokh.
TO repeal nn net to rXotttpt cortnlrt persons from
juifynn'd militia‘duty, In tho CO'unty of McIntosh,
phltod 21st Dec. 1831).
To alter and fix tho tithe df holding tho inferior
Courts inlhoc'oufiiy oT Muscogee.
To authorize the Juktice* of tho Inferior COuit of
tlra County of Bike to Apply the coliniy ftihds of
saiii coulity for tho sOpport of tho InVulld floor.
To amend an act to com|mnknta the Grand and
tVrit'Jurors of tho cuhnty df Telfair, so far ai ro-
la(et to the Grand Jury of said county.
To amend An Act to alter and fix tlra timo of hold*
ing tho Superior Courts in the Eastern District uf
tills Stnte, assontod to lho26lli Dccontbcr, 1837.
To exfund the time for taking out grants for lands
in tho countios of, originally Early, Irwin, Appling,
Hall', lluhdrsliam, and ’Rabun, and to provide'for
tho disposition of the sAmoj if not granted within
iho tlrtra eXtund'cd.
i'ho Senate also concurred with tlra House on tho
amendment of tho following hills:
To confirm tho purclimo and of tho building of
tfio Bridge across tho Savunnuli River at Augusta.
To authorize the Justices of tho Inferior Court,
so far a* respects tho Conritlsi of WfJkfitsoh and
Floyd, to leiy tin eXtri Ids fur outfitl)( purposes.
Tlra Senate passed, ii bill to rovise, aitiend and
cunsoliduto lira rules for lilo government nnd police
of the I'cnitentiniy uf the Stntb uf Gvolgid.
R. S. A jjrcdt many Idbdl UiHA Drive prlsaWrl, tlint
marc particularly conccin tho llppet counties of tlra
State.
Tlie election hir lluil Itoad Conimissiuneis iias
AUGUSTA, Dm* If.
‘ Ifompto CAnrrefr—Tha track was am wall at-
Irhded yesterday, a* *v<7 to kMir
, clalpapar,$10,000,000; othsraxiets, $21,000,000;
$y ef tho penal part* of the act, a rww clause aatcud ' tote I, $70,000-,000.
not yet come nn.
Thb Lonislnidre, I ililnfi; will hardly Do dblb id
adjourn on Saturday.
Frbrti our Correspondent;
GEORGIA LEGISLATURE.
IioUsb or rtKbhKSENTATivrs, )
, Wednesday, Doc. 10. )
Biite from the Senate Poind.
To authorise the Justices of tho Bearn of the
several Districts within tHri edrporare litbiis of tlra
city of Macori, Bifih Coulity, to fid'd their Cnurt* In
lira Court IIousb df iaid County, and to require
costs brfifie suits drlj curtfmnncvd. (
To compensate Grand amt Petit Jurors in the
County of Wnre, and authorise tho Inferior Court
to levy an extra tax for Unit pUrposD.
To confirm the jiurchnso df the Rj-iiigos across
tlra SaVutinnh Rivet, at Augusts, hy the City C'auti.
ell Df Alfgttiin, id vest Iri _ them certain rights and
privileges bonrieclod wills sdM. bridges, nnd lo
■Hieml lira several act* in relation to iho city of
Augtisio, nnd the Cnurt of Common Btcasofsald
city, and to exempt certain persons from the per
formance of Jury duty;
To dmend the Road Laws of this State, so far as
relates tu the Cfiunty of Montgomery.
To consolidate the Offices of Receiver of Tux Re
turns nnd Tax Collectors ol this State, so fur as rei
■peels the Counties of Montgomery, Maodn and
Clark.
To authorise the Justices df the inferior Cdurts,
so far as respects thb CdUntieJ b’f Wilkinson ahJ
Floyd to levy an edtfo tail for county purposes,
Toeitefid the ebrporate lirfiits oftlio f.,Wn of
McDbnougll, fn Henry Coijhiy, Und for other pur
poses.
To amend iHo act Incorpdraiirtg tho Hnnk of MU’
leifgoVllle With banking rind insii(anco privileges,
located ot Milletlgoviile, and tb change lha name of
said Bank.
To exempt Jamea Hall, Senr., of Irwin County,
from paying the tax as laid on I’edlars.
To incorporate tlra Fetanle Academy of Oxfold,
Newton County, and appoint THl-tees for tho
same.
Tb consolidate iho Offices of Receiver arid Collec
tor offtux ReKirnJ of Appling County.
To repeal so much of an ac{ entitled; Alt Act to
Compensate rho Grand and Petit Jurors, so far as
relate* to the County of Enianuol.
The Norfolk Beacon states, that Mr. Holloman
a Representative in Congress frum Virginia, has ro
signed ItU seal in that body.
the Preeident'e Menage.—Whatever diversity
of opinion may prevail ns ta the doctrines of this
document its general ability must be Admitted as
woll aa the dignity and appropriateness ttf its Ian.
guage. The iiifnrinallon ittprfned U »(f,p| B on ^
those topics <h*t possess national ibfcrest,
h , ..o.vi, P . re *i. moh un.^„ ption , u
excellent fn matter and style.—Char.
„A‘‘«*?!!"* nf 'J* J.ickov
Club, th. oB „„
MoWbuii.r, 1W.
dentf Thomas J. Sutljh,Ekij. und Gen. Jos. Thom-
what the result would Infr Fanny Was tho ftnrarfct
at loni odds, unit wt»n.tht'WrM wUhMkrefMd*/.
hitfl being drawn after tilt Aral heat, wklch Wdl ftui
ln5m.5f*.
Tkbnday.—Four mil* heele—purit $$W.
1 no tMlfowtni are tlra tnirios t • •
C»\, W. n. Johnson's eh. h. Boston, aged, by XlaM
loo •, dant hy Finrls-I.
Col, Crowell's g. m. Omega, 0 year* «W,by TIm»*
foort, O'lt nf>,h o.nnr Mate. ' ^
Col. W. I lampion's eh. h. Santa Anna, 5 yoar* old,
by IturfrniHl, Jr.; out of Daisy by Kuaeiosko.
OpnUtuUo»tuitt. ,
NEW URtikAN&.tieS,ll*
Late it most .MatAsItlrtAl.—Dliftrdeeful Out•
rage.—Tim scltr. ^otilliornbr.Cdpri (lallord, arrif-
ml yesterday morning from MiMmoraibringlnf datft
up lo thn 1st fiistnnt. .
Tlra Sun Anntdo hnd taken tlirJjo Mcxjcdn rat-
Vila prlxos ami litirnt nitotlrar—sll valuiiblS.
Thu report of thn coptnronf nn A nfericdjf sloop
nt Corpus Christ! by a launch, and the nid aef or 4
nf her men’is confirmed. It seems the lavnehefinriod
16 men ami was commanded by* vllttan-named
Gonstlus, tVlto is now at large* Consoles bad let lira
nhd wns empowered by lira Mmican Government le
treat with Itibcnml and Thump.son tesprctlng ibeie
pardon trad iWtVn to tlra country* On arriving at
tho bur no vra«el Wits In sight, exrent tho American
sloop wlirali Gniisnluk boarded. Wl/Uo one of tbg
Mexicans wu* conversing with the mate, Gonxalc*
to.,k affront nt some tetndrk the latter made andrtra ’
him through thu body with a sword, killing him In
stantly.
Thn wretch tiled nhlehtd tfiti sloop’s men, thro#
in nitrithpk*, to ho tied, bikhn Un shore, and shot.
TvVo i.rriinm fell at the first fird rind while tbo other
wits begging for quartc, GonldlU* ordered hit mra
to bo enroll'! A second discharge Undrd hfo aufler-
Ings. Tlra Moxi am pretend tbai tlie sloop wusoa
nsmtifKling expedition, butnolbing tdn justify inch
a dlahuUeal outrage. Major Smbtftlnh American
Consul at Malamurn*, was Investlgbllhg the aflair
with the greatest vigilnnco.—Pie.
I. ATKSt prom Texas—Tlra steam piifckcj
ontmli, Copt. Wade, arrived Inst evening, having
mado lira ruff In this city in 40 limn*, we have Gril
veslon trad Houston papers to 0th Ir.stfffft, halkjj
seven days later than previuusty r* cel veil.
Thu steam packet Now York, honce, arrived at
Gnlvustun, mi the 8ib.
Tho Tuxiati Naval schrtnrter Soil Antonio, Lieut.
Moore, nrrived at Golvcston uh 7th Inst., from u
crulso along tho Mnxiciincnast, tthd last from Vera
Crux—nlfirers trad crew all welh Sira brings no
nuwsoi n Into dute from Mexico.
Tho residue of tlioTexIan sqnudreh hit! not been
seen Iiitely, nnd lira ship Austin WfiunlastlUen,WM
in ehnsn of a brig.
Mr. Trent , Into IVxinn agent lo Mexico, vRted at
sen on rite29ilt nit’, of consumpii’on. !IUl>hly was
brought to Galveston.
Tlra reported capture nf flair Mexican VeiWli by
thu So'« Antonio is cuiuriidicted.
Th» British I,rig Ironsides arrived nt 'GnlVeltott
mi 4th Inst, with u full cut go of mercandite'And Arts
fffeattle, hi/rsev, slu-op, &e. ul the finest Englitb
brood j.
From the Picayune of X#th (hit,
Ftom Mexico.—The following new and Imfldf
taut lululUtymca from Mexico wo receive frotA our
ngunt in Galvcilou. It is the Ulekt news And diiy
fin relied upoii. ,
Galveston,Dec. 8. .
Genllnmeh-^-l hnvo but n few minutes befoM iuft
bo'dt ktaris to write; which I must occupy In 'glVtri£
you some important information from Moiioo'. Thu
Texian flinti of War schooner Bon AntohVo drHved
during last night', and reports tlidt some Mexican
citiluns (perhaps of VeraCrusJhdve offered loloan
tlra guverumettl tho amount of money aha asked for,
nnd tlint n bonirnbl has already heon entered Into to
furnish tlra government u cunsiderdhfe navy to oper
ate ogniukl Texrik; ti» lie ruddy for survice by the
first duy ofMiit; nnd that rictivo .preparations ere
making to runvw tin* war with Texas both by land
odd sea'. Thera is no doubt of its truth..
l’hby dlso report that Connies, |he Federal lead*
ob,. Cttittbnjnl, nnd Moxicnn Thompson, as he |i
called; formerly n cltlr.cn of thil place; Whb hdd bceK
operating with tho Fcdriruls, together with thURfrd-
coi, hud certainly gone over lu the Centralists, afltl
hnd attempted lu betruy tiro Amerirans with them
into tho hands of their onorpicj. It .has bocH so lit
tie tllho between lira arrival of tho achoonDr bfid the
deparlure of tha Bavaiinah, I huve not had time to
luurn ull tlra particulars, and coilenuehlly maybe
in error in somu statement*—though as near as I
can ledrn tile dbovb is about lira substance of the
news brought by llio scliuonor.
1 rogruUldviug )o add that Mr. Treat, who had
beon our agent to Mexico,died on the San Antonio
on her pnsiogo, ihreo or four daysngo, having left
Mexico without being ublo ro do dliVihing with them.
His romuins ore to be Intbrhrrl this ovoning. HU
disease, I belM d, was consuhiplloh.
I llaVo Hot lira timb tu write (Hub, as tho beat U
ubtiul leaving.
Got. Jordan —Tt j* strited In one of the Texfan
tidpors^li'it this officer Dos received reinforcement*,
inis rucrossed tlra Rio Grande, and is now In put
suit of Gcri Reytis.
• NORFOLK, Dec. 12.
From the Weet Indies.—Wo uro Indebted to
Copt. Illce, of lira Imrquo Arrfiibald Grade, arrived
nt litis port yesterday, In 15 duy* from BarbaduUa,
f'*r pn|ier* up to 23d Nov. Wo learn that tbo
Wuy* nnd Mean* Bill passed one branch of the Ire
gitlnture on tho l4thor Nuvomber, and It passed
thu other branch; lira Council, on the 22d of Nov.
It was lo go fold operation onu month from the data
iff its (mssngo.
Tlra Import duty mi American Tobseco was to bo
decreased—nnd lira duty.on American Flour was to
Ira about 30 els. per barrel.
MeianehfiyShipwreck.—Mr. Fales, of the Bal
timore pilot bum Cmnoi, Capt. Cole, informs us
that on Wednesday las,t, Cnpo Henry bearing W.
bjr 8.35 miles distant, thoy foil in with tho week
of a sell! which bo supposod lobo of about 59 tons,
lira boat lop nnd bottom were painted green, star-
Inmrd hntiRQ hulu nnd chain plates red; billot head
white; tho srhr find a small gum windlass, and x
trunk with a hatch in it, with a binnacle there in
which led into tho cabin. Wlrah fallen In withsho
was entirely stripped. They fished up with tbo
pumpsp«tnr from tbocubfo itiro deal1 bodies, oho
of which Imd on a whito overcoat. They had tbo
wreck in tow 17 fitturs,Dot iu consequence of her lay
ing over much on ono side Was compelled to aban
don her.—Deae'dn.
Natal—The U. 8 Sloops of War York Town,
Commander Auiibki and Dale, Commanded Gaunt*,
Ixnind to tho Pacific, dropped down to Hhmpion
Ronds on $utuhfoy nnd went to sea yesterday morn"
ing drilli a finu wind from southwest.
List of officers nf tho U. S. ship Dalo; ijbundjfo g,
cruisu to the Pacific Ocean, vis:
Chaties Guuntt, E*q. Commander.*
William Green, l»t Lieutenant;
J no M. Berrien. 2d do.
Wm: W. Sleeker, 3d ild.
Lttwi* Wolfl y. Passed Ass't Surtooft.
Philo White; Purser.
Jas. D. Johnston. Act’s. Mister.
J-»l*ss Thorniey,' Ass't Surgeon;
J. Milnor Williams, Captain's Clerk.
Henry Ashton, Midshipman.
Colville Terrelt, Acting Midsbiptitib:
Sami. P. Carter, do do.
Jos. L. 8. Bcckwilbjdtt ijb.
W. F. Davidson,' do 1 Ho.
Wm. Ilgnry S/nith, do do.
F. I\ Weeiock, do do.
Lewis Beard, . ,. .do do.
Hu$b Lindsey, Acting Carpenter,
Washington Bright,'do Gunner.
Robert Simpson, do lloatswatru
George Thbmn*; do Sailnmkar.
Noth’l. Wood Ward, Purser’s Blew ardV**" . . ’
TI.o No.foIk Bf.™ of , h . jl2lh
. rr r“ “• ,«f oor Richmond eo,rc. r on
o!-.’.'. -?if- f„, .ho .W.loi of
JdnUxry ’ vW * l 1 001 Probably comeoa 'Oil
The H r (U 4 d 0 f Dclegale* on Thursday toolc ^ sp
Uio_rBS' J , l . don in |ela| , on |Q tlw Bank #f Virginia,
Xuer much ditcuisiou Iho House agreikd to ap
V°utt a apeciul commktetf id' inquire into nod,re
port nil the facta conducted with'.ifw foto defalcation
in the Bank uf Yirpinid and that tbo comroittfl*
should have UaFe tb send for persnne-aed p&pi'h
onil I h.t ihoo .. n»M Iia .u C. . J.f.l .il .
Herald says, it hat it on good authority, that ihla M * Vle * l*»Mld«itui Samuel Thompson, Eift. Store
Institution holds of stocks of $30,000,000, Comtnar lar y* •’». % -
tl U new Il.i.d Ihn Iho.anu WM»», look out
otdy $101,612 in spetfo,
puc
•nd that they report bow for said defolattioa bad
been prttdocrd by. the misconduct or neglect ofaa'y
officer of thq Bank-end that they ascertain bF co$n(
or other aatUfactory evidence the specie’ ana Blink
noted in all the Banks of Ricbmoud'QiyMiA^ttbBh
i n. Lookyiji. jwMimBteiagfe i
the Hon. W. J. Graves wad^ touch If
cently by the upsetting of bis gig, that h«
unable to undcruk* tho journey to Wuri
jomodnys. *, • i .* n - k|