The New York Herald Newspaper, December 8, 1853, Page 6

(aasertained that the and more satisfaction to By my retewrem the same time, preve equally benea- en Froposed to make salt free of duty, The ‘These aceounts have aapual revenue from that article, from the five years ef the stock agreed only $232,284, while the annus! fish- the money exclusive of the drawback on pickled fish, 4 jous from salt duties iss pretext, amount to $289,413, cee af the deb ihe behing bocntion Cros ‘of the debi fishing \ties, from hhasardous, and herewith submit- public fund: and to favoritism. For the reasons stated tx that zep 208, it is reeom- gentinve that methc ty be re and that bilo debt. Public ft to the fair competition which 060,000 loan of 1843 causes other maratime enterprises to flourish, oper rn ‘The table of imports and Len eg A apie Ber ‘the teasury co or at ut in the actice; and that intere pares favorably with those of mad after the let July, 1863. increasing capacity for om paniew this report. = commercial iubetomas: Bg tomy, kot Seana wich The daily ments at the treasury, in discharge of the | also accompap re} ows our tonnage padlic lial Ch and the redempticn loan, did pot | now 4,407 610 tons, aaa excouls that of receding equal the receipts. A large surplus accumulated in the | year by 205,060 tons. These tables prove thal enjoys a ard became a cause of alarm in commercial and | prosperous commerce, with an increasing capacity to ex- Mmancial circles. It was hoped that the accumulation in | tend it. ‘the treasury would exercise » beneficial restreint upon tab! ‘ibiting the operations of the mint also ac- #8 and speculative credit ©21 and briog ep table exhib companies this report. It shows the entire coi to Slst Uctover last to have been $570,008,192 60; the gold gondition; yet, uncer the apprehension that a panic ii from the Ist Japvary to Slat October of the year might ariee from a too # ae it operation of the trea $808 te 98, a5 60, and the silver coins mary, it was cetermined to make ai vances to the mint for | $3 996,21 tive and growing peng 4 of silver for the new coinage aud to enable | cold and silver as @ eurrency for actual ure; whilst tl pa ———- pay promptly and in advance of coinage for | imports of gold and silver, including what is brought to pola the Atlantic from California, without estimating for that The amount of money on deposit in the mint on the | peought in by Be Oat ed with the Sorts of @th of March was $6 (98,220, and was increased b f2° | gold and eilver, prove that, within four years, the large Ast of July to $8,517,890 05, and was on the 26th of No | ginount of $155,972,095 73 has been added to the gold vember, 1853, $11,451,059 40, This enabled bang Cony to | and silver coin remaining in the country, Should this in- give gold, which circulated a4 monoy, for silver that was | crease continue for but a short term of years, this coun- ut of circulation. because cf the premium upon it; and Mor gold bullion that could not ciroulate as money until It is believed that this operation tended to lessen the effect of the accumulation; but the accumulation still eontinuing, it was thought advisable further to lessen it y the purchase of another portion of the public debt, at current market price, in the cities of Philadelpaia ana New York, as authorized by law; and an arrange- ment was made with @ broktr, at each of those places, to wake auch purchases, to be paid for on the assigameat amd delivery of the stock at the treasury. These pur- @hases were continued until the Ist July, 1563, and ceased after thaidate. The amount still continuing to accumu date in the trescury, apprehonsions were entertained that @ contraction of discoun's by the city banks of New York would result from the weekly statements required from ‘these bapke under an act of the Legislature of that Siate, and, combing with the fact ef the large amount in the treasury, migut bave an injarious intlueace o tnaccial and commercia! operations. With a view, therefore, to ee public arsurance thet money woula not be permit to accumulate in the treasury, if the public debt ould be bad st the current market p: & pubile o ‘was mace on the 20th July to redeem at the tieasury, Detween that time and the Ist ‘bf December, the sum of $2,000,000 of the loans of 1347 and 1545, at» premium of per cent, and interest from the Int of July, 1953, on tthe principal. Andon the 22d August another public offer was made for $2,000,000 of the loans, payable ia 3856 «nd the former at a premium of Ss per cent, and the lacter ata premium of 16 per cent, witn like in: terest from the Ist July, 1868, These notices, marked end F, a:compacy this report. It was thought taat such | public ctler for the stocks, at the then current markst yprine, would be expedient on the part of the go men: | and just aud fair to the holders, have # bene try will be able to dispense with banks of issue, and their attendant evils, and have the goid and silver currency contemp’ated by the constitution. The operations of the mint and its branches for the past year show a very fay- orable result, and the recoinage of silver bas, in many aces, removed the inconvenience arising from small Pank totes and want of chaoge, It may reasonably be expected that the supply, in the course of a few years, will be ample, and exiended to every section of the country, ‘Tne operations of the mint at Philadelphia and the branches require thet the director ehould bave an assist aut. The eaarivs allowed by lew to clerks employed in the former have been found insufficient to retaia the bert, aud recently two of the most skilful and experieacod clerlis left on that account. It is tec ught thata coiaege of alloy resembling German y be beneficially substituted for the copper, aud ‘ath to that end bave been directed. Should prove favorable, the result will be presented during I int at San Francisco has been contracted isbed and ‘y for the coiaage of 000.000 per annum by the let of February next, aad is every reasoz to belleve that the contract will ba i wilh, and the mist there pnt into operation #, thus sbundantly supplying the people of coast with coin, for all the parposes of ex- mineree, from their own miaes. Uncer the provisions of the act of the last session au thorizing an assay and melting and refiaing office to be Gstabiished in New York, to be placed in the Custom House there, should there be room for it, and if not, givivg the Secretary of the Treaeury authority to lease or otherwise ¢ vitable building for the same, an tion was made, and it was ascertained that there # Assay cflice ia the custom house, and a ficient space for the al etfeas | wapon the woney market, and secure a larger amount of | the public cept than any othar mode thst could be | The result has been satisfactory. he loan of the three corporate oc} d by Congress in 1835, b tion was kent to th and rome of them ex: to the Bank of C New York, and t ‘Re extent of $40 gace will be obt , ia a short the $5,000,000 \cings, with the privileg wake the necessary apr with the estimated reeelp fourth quarters of the p excess of the est'may will justify the fur’ Seer of the deb ury for any pra: therefore been im the purchase ta considered tha Wweast!y, growing out i paustria! pursuits © to apply the surpla and that it should ft to embarrass the operation ef the governme’ ature condngoncy whizh may — all its ¢: sand res estimated receipts of the second, third, and F pies Of the present fircal year have been predicte prevent high price of the great sts ples, on = & eign dercand for our ez plus, andon large du ilega, sho he appro- itiin two years at | e lease, tho pay- amount, The | aat | m for the clerk's of the | , and tor the Superintendent of the Assay | clerks, The construction of the Aceay building has been commenced, and is now {a the course | cf completion, and ali tae neepasary implements, &s | the Asay ofiice, and for meitw¥ and reining, are or to be prepared by the lst of Febcuary next, with the hope 4 expeccation to get it into operation by the'lai of roh. Custom House at New York being insufficient for | ased business at that port, and the bank build- | ge adjoining it being found ample for all the parpozes | of an array cilice, and in fact for a mint, should Cougress ms, computed in view of the large sto°k of im- | wish wl any time to bave coinirg done thers, the arrange stions on hand and the striagency ia the snoney mar- | sent for the purchace was made with a knowledge that both bere and in England, and the ellect of the short | the price aged to be givan was high, but it was erop there. thought, ucder the circumstances, to be worth to the estimated receipts for the fiscal year 1354 donot | United © ead to be given, The purchase, weach the actual receipts of the fiscal year 1853. although | leases, is recommended to Cung:ess. the first quarter of 1534 exceeds the corresponding quar- | wiely upon taking charge of the department, eer of the year 1853 by $5,028, 0, | tion was reecived by me that certaiz acditional pplication of $1 , and leave a suilicieat sar, | | | BpeTOUS Co t prosps: arth don | The estimated receipts for the fiscal year ending June | dutien impoved vnder ta act of 1346 om goods en- B8, 1865, have not the results of the frat qua! to verify | tered ten per cent below tte appraised vaine, been nor the unqurstioned data of good crops ani | y for distribution between the a; but the estimate resis upon en average of p: rs, with an estimated increase proportionate fmereasing population and capacity to purch: ealeulated without regard to the chances o! Surveyor of the port of New t had been withdrawn or with ‘Teensury, ane deposited py intaat city. My prode 4 againat the claim, » The imports of the fiscel year 1953, including specie, Inmve been 5267.978,047, and the exports have been $234 280, A fair estimate for profits oa out ex the freight of our versels would cast the balance of this @esount in cur favor, without estimating tee monsy ip by emugrants, of which no account is taken. | Tt is believed that a largs steck of imported merchandise | emaine in the hands of the merchants, sud fer that rea poblie r ue, to Mereut ports bad no fi, bution was the-eiore revoked, c+ in the Treas Il aserting the claim, ¥ 4 York, upon leavin ived the moiety of at i orcer of dis monry directs a to be rr g dere, and th ft ljaxwell, Collector o' fice, took out of ¢ | } | | ‘end because of the stringeacy in the money market, | made a spe wsit o with G C. Bro - | here and in Cagland, it is calsulated that there will | cassor, irected to pay the money into the | Be, during the remsining three quarters of the year,a | Yveaury ; bat before this was done, at the @imivished importation, compared with thatof the Grst | instance of the Naval officer, &e., tha sum attachec by the eof the Unised States The estimate for the fsca! year 1865 hes not been” made | Bo exceed that of 1655, for the reason that is believed that | fhe caures of diminished importations during the lave of the fiscal year 1554 viii be extended invo a pa , and has been paid into pon the merite, Dir are the case for trial ia the Cir uprems Court, thould the desi t below be adverse to ihe rights of the | ® reduction of Crited States. { be oto ‘Yhe act of Congress approved the Sd of Mareb, 1941, loet ; limits the ralaries of tre Colieetor, Naval Ofiicer, and | manual productions of eg d some other porta, It wascon: | wumed within the yeas, and ag industry for the succeeding year able to pay, there is a great up mount of imporis and export ce whatever could the saount a at which Congrers | Yet, votwith- that cert: There are often ca had beeo ad however, which prevent a regular and progressis | by Previous sets for vi Grease; euch as short crops, low pri fo rte, y of which had ve mt home or abresd, without the war. Still, it is believed that the 1855 will be sufficient to meet ween those revence iicers, | hue department had acquiesced in. | to be div \ | should be so divided. | the deci = e ion, Thus the compensation of those officers | Jesr and a geasonade purchase of the publi was swelled beyosd the poiat fixed by said Those end justify a reduction of the ea by addiug to the free | fines ard ; Custom Flouse at New York, | t ), 1353, amounted to the | io1 sum of The table H, sceompaaying this report, forte betwe | | i Mist and reducing the tax upom many other articles of im- | | articles imported ‘ree cf duty, and their y giving to each 33, six years fiem 1945 to 136 ve, and also the | galeries | foreign articles imported paying with their value The one @ twonty per cant alJitional tu. end rate of duty, for the same ties wh a during the official 5,769 The table I, accompanying t ate list of the foreign articles, whieh it is her ppoeed shail be addeo to free dist for the po revenue c articles in table I, for the } ja which smount it may be com be reduced, by the adoption of fee list. report, exhibits a sepa ay pro term of and more than a jy New iork Custom Ii om pensation ase cflloer t additi 0 be #0 enti puted, the revere will the proposed additional larger than s p-oper and stor of a port f ed and execution levied desire arises to hold th proper 8 question is decided by the cour’ ¢ Secretary cannot, uncar exis ment without an ae: of Congress. d to these Fropused Glassee—the one class cx ying thir report, to p duty ef 100 per cent, and oe ing laws, The at quesiions, im order rs moderate Ecty 0! and to in be applied. { articles pot in the nor in the ta g this report were sent to the | Getion. | This equ the reven! with the view of sesaring She ize ports of it mate Ta, and to a, om eu 4 not proposed to redw The cuaage now p enigned to take wilect iromaal below which pot heretofore Mati] the pubic cent ip the rate of Cuty i @fter the 14: January, 1 ‘The effect of making the dut articles imported not included in the freean ly lens trouble im the c the duties oa art @uce them on others. When the duties are raised, @hange msy act in restraint of imrortation, and refused. in th r; apd «1 had it been applied du: e@bundent revenue for the depa: of keepin counded her there bas been surplaa or de loyed, and to make report to this de h the when t is intended to have sll the other | ited snd examined in like wanuer fons bave bsen made for appolataen rsof the eusioms Upon exminat at it had grown into a practice fo: revion, to appoint Aecre was fouad at its oms at diferent rates of compensation, and spsstors | are plec ged It is not proposed to enter into aay extended argucient ‘Bo prove that the articles in table | should be adden te free list, nor to prove the propriety of tae propose how of dutie to the uniform aisaderd of © ont. When revenve & fase for manufacturing an growth or production of the mo, should not be taxed. en erly the number of 5: ly increased. A statemen’ appointments had grea: view to ascerta’n theo. aracter eucy. It was found that a lerge number officers had jast bean appointed, and aftar Jow lng a captsia aad three lieutenants to each vessel, nere were ot twenty seven oficers more than the rer or the law allowed. The matter was sab raumera: of the governmert, wasing me pete industry, aod enterprise of the u will still necessarily to the importations, and en: quently to the revenue, what shall be aveded for increaye i oflloers ot the officers t with a list of the rev mpsnies this report | tables accompanyicg ‘ At the free 2618 004 ok and at the © Mets of England, France, Jl Beaeil, Aus sy otaalas Gutaee YokaNe Poe ne voies Russia, Cuba, ii, Nethe roca pene Avan vat the furtuer sum of $4/6,0 of agents under agreem depar'ment to rout places of ” the sum of $2 7 962 27 unaccounted fur, and 10 pay in'erest, &o _ The withdrawal of this large eur of $4,014, 98 the treasury, where the require it to by ite Geposit in the hands of agents for cans’ of time belay deemed hazarcous to the tr Hanse Towns, Norway, Mexico, aad Swxien ani mark the Of free trade among commarcia! ra | fons. Unrestricted crepe Lape 3 the natiors of the | earth in ge bonds ¢: ye by mutual benefits, ha pemercus increasin, Travowstes ig this and other | seumercial countries, The principle of free teade may | mot yet be mulficieatly verified from experience, in this | ead other ——, to justify its fall adoption, but the towards free trade now propoved will be justified, , it not in believed, by both public opinion and public interest. | in direct vivlation of law, it th nt to Wie considered that the takicg of the éuty on the raw | the amount, and abandon that move uf tranier aul pay, counteract ane log interest, &e., and to elfect the trensters by the aale of and, when | treasury d the points where the money wan naadot eompered s tariff, will | for disbu 4 authorized by law, or y an r val pet materially afféct the interests of domestic industry or een by an officer of the department, and to have the gommeree. F jerest, Kc. paid by the officers of the treasury, Tne Bh ia not proposed to charce the principle of ad valorem | plan adopted Zeowes all the requiremeats of the service, aunties, but it in for the consideration of Conzrees whether | with all necerrary economy and despatch. and with lean Bee Muty oe iron, mate from the average of le carc them the previous cus. Wo slate thet the ibe progad omsoren Gatien, wil not give great | all tbe above enain bare buem repigued im the Wceasury, | he is entitled to the ere: } from im allowing tbe Commiseloner of Peasions to | certificates of a. | tor all pension accounts, and brings the allowances of | pen a i t ee ae kept without loaning, using, de; “to fely kept without "4 % in banks, or ¢xebanging for other funds.” sot onl, poy peally speed = “4 ae ina form the duties spec the act, but also requires them to perform Roy a which should be impozed by Congress or by any regulation of the Treasury Lepartment made in cenformity to Jaw. ‘The disbursing agents of the several de ents of the government being without safe places of depovit for the public money en- trusted to them, it was deemed right and within the pro- visions and the spirit of the law to require the treasurer and the assistant treasurers and depositaries designated by law to receive deposits from the disbursing agents of the government, and to pay out the same on their checks, A regulation to that effect was issued and isin operation, and accompanies this report. It is @ great convenience to disburring agents, and also secures the safety of the puolic money, The sighing? of so cepositing haa not as Jet been embraced by all the disbursing agents, and it has been suggested that some of them deposit with banks and brokers, under an erroneous ides that the act does not apply tothem, It is believed that such sits sre in contravention of the lay No losa occur in prosperous times; ney might mot be/orthcoming to meet eles demands, If this regulation should continue, and all the disbursing agents avail themselves of its advantages, the assistant treasurers at the principal porta where the public money is collected and disbursed, will require an additional cler!, at & competent sslary, to act for the assistant treasurer in care of necessary absence. In the Treasury Department, the accounts of all collec tors, disbursing ‘agents, &., are rendered and se:tled. ‘Che law requires collectors to render their accounts quar- terly, but authorizes the Secretary to require them often er Upon examivation, it was fond that the accounts of collectors of the customs were rendered quarterly, but cid not generally reach the department uatil about the termination of the sv cceeding quarter, and were not set- ted by the accounting officers for some seven, eight, nine, or eyen more months fiom the end of the quarter for which they were sen’ ered. This left unset:led accounts with collectors of the customs for at least two-thirds of the annual revénue from that source—say over $30,000,- 000—+ nd left iv the hands of tome of them large amounts until the settlement of their accounts. The prompt ren- dition and rettlement of these accounts being deemed of importance to the coi rectzess of the rame and the tr of the revenue, it! was {thought that a change could be effected, if porsible. Upon inquiry and inves- ‘tion, it was considered that theso accounts could be rexcered monthly, and settled within the succeeding month, A regulation to that effect waa issued, requirieg all collectors 10 2¢nder monthly accounts from and after the lst of July, 1863, which accompanies this repoit. The accounts for the months of July, August, and September ned, ard settled under this’ requirition; and he menth of September, atl, except those of the Pa- cific ccast pnd come small districts on the 4 tlautic, were rencered and settled withia the moath of Octob fact was thus accertained that it is entirely pr to Lave the accounts all so rendered avd settled within the month except iheso oa the Pacific coast, which will re e about two veel There sye other reforn cooks, avd the stat @ custom how department, that may be in’ the lic rervice, but which ¢ g about and cul roperly, r Attention was also given to thos branches of the de- partment where the accounts of dirbu: egents and others, owing money to or having claims against the go- yerument, are adjusted end settled. [t was found that the cfficial corps was disorganized, and some of the bu- reaus very much out of rder, and greatly ia arrear with the business cop filed to them. The table W, which accompanies this report, exhibits | the eggregate of accounts rendered and unsettled in each office in the month of March, 1853, and the amount of them which were outstanding on the books of the Solici- torof the Treasury. This table shows that thers were accourts unsettled, to the aggregate of $12,521,704 09, god that there had been settled an aggregate of $40,500.- 164 50, leaving a balence of $102,021,549 59 still outstand- inz; butof these there are $14,918,502 36 on the hooks of the Solicitor of the Treasury, most of the accounts having been stated by the Auditors, For the pur- pose of closing these large balances, the accompaay- ing letter was sent to the First and Second Comp- troliers of the Trensury and the Commissioner of Customs. The settlements will be enforced as soon as practicable. In 1842, after the duties became payable in cash, the duty bonds remaining unpaid to tae debit of the reveral collectors were passed to the debit of thelr succes- | tors, and conticued to encumber theit accounts and em- barrass settlements. On the 9th September last, the Commissioner of Customs was directed to credit the Col- lector’s accounts with these bonds, and opea an account for them on the books of the tressury. These boods con: titute an additional outstanding auin on the books of the Solicitor. all claims due the United Sates, afters failure cr refwal to pay, are put in wut in the district where the parties or some of ‘ean vexiée, and, except post office anita, ge upon the books of the Solicitor of the Treasacy, and ure ccllected under hie Girection. ‘These uncollected claims, including duty bonds, on the | bock? of the Solicitor, have accum ed from the co. m- mencement of the goverrmest, and now amount to the large aggregate of $21,247,516 82, No commission er n ig allowed to cistrict attorneys for their fon, and no au hority given to tne Secretary upon the sutject, or to disencumber the accounts of tuese accumulatirg balances. It is submitted to Congress, that | awhority might be given to allow compexsa‘ion for the ecilection of there ceots, and to componne for them when | the parties are uneble to payin full avd thereis po frand, | ardio have the lost balances carried to an appropriate accornt, It was also ascertained that many disburaing officers had not rendered their accounts within the three mouths , required by law, whilst many of the accounts in the | Thid Au r’s office had been in the office unsetiled for one two, three, four, five, aud even more years, and the work wes greatly behind in most of the citices. It was determined to reform the condition of these oflices as scon ag ble. The first object to be effected was the prompt transaction of the current business, and the employment of as large a force as could be spared to bring wp the arrearage The Third Auditor's office, under the newly appointed Auditor, F. Buft, charged with the settlement of a por- lenger. manner of keeping tion to be derived og of it in this with advantage to e aud care are required | tion of the accounts of the War Department, was greatly He was required to ascertain the state of its and put it in the best possible condition by ti esting of Congress, and make report up to that Bis report to the Sist of October, 1353, is here ted, and exhibits the concition in which he found his and that which it had reached on that day. Jt is to Mr. Burt to state that, basides the labor perform: as exhibited in his report’ more correct principles of covating and settling have been introduced, aud that tof the reform ho has made. bat oflice, as appears by an additional time, euch as Br. Burt antic’pate and Office Las brought up its arreareges, and is ¢a- le of promptly acting upom all the busitiess coufided Durinest confided to the Second and Third Aniitor's cevld be more adrantsgeously distributed than it ond. it is believed, to the more prompt de patch duties. A proporition detailing such a partition | accompanies this report, and is recommended to ths con- | nideration of Congres: Congress, in constituting and corry ing out the Treasury Department, adopted the prin- | ciple of having ali accounts and against the govern- ment stated, with a report of facta by an Auditor, and a re-examinaiion by cre of the Comptroliers, or the Com- niissioner of Customs. This principle has been departed owence to pension agents, and 1 tion to be paid w.thout the allowance having been re ‘The proposed arrangement gives to the Third Auditor the settlement of all army accounts, and to the Second Audi- ons by the commissioner under the control of the Auditor and Second Comptroller, thus rostoring m action as to ail allowances and settlemests in th Auditor's office, charged 1 net ling of postmesters and coatract- | for carrying the mail, wax found to be greatly in ar at. The accounts of postinastera for small balances were found to bave rem and such wa lie as to render it dou stful wh: required by Jaw could be The newly appoi «ficient errangement and per-evering ac tore) order to The office and ayatem to the placed it in a condi ion to adjust and je ul! accounts. Ills report, herevith sub , exhibits the condition in which he fount the office, and that ip which he bas placed it, and entitles him to credit for the manper in which he has managed tts duties ‘The reports from jhe First, Second, Fourth and Fifth Auditors, the First and Second Comptrollers, the Commis: sicner of Customs, the Register o' the Treasury, the So licitor cf the Treasury, and the Treasurer of the ted , are herewith submitted. These offices, except eof th ‘otand Fifih Auditors, were not #0 much | im armear as the Third and Sixth Auditors offices; but greater promptitude and despatch have taken place in most of them, ani it is believed that better rules of action | have been introduced. The arrearages can be brought up, | and the regular despatch of the current work secured. ‘The clerka in all the divisions were classified under tho | act of Congress of jant seasion for that purpose, the exrm- inations having been made as required by theact. The proper arrangement of business in the diftarent offices re- | quires that itehall be classified and allotted toa certain | tuts ber of eler«s, and a competent clerk placed in charge | of each clas*, and made responsible for ita prompt des | patch, amd thet correet rules of action shall prevail in | dlsebargicg the Guiles, The head clerks of these classes ; should bave better salaries than thore under them, The ibird and fourth clacses do not furnish the reqaisite n of clerks for Lain parpowe in nome of the offices, and the salary of the first class lr not anufficiens compen: vation for any clerk ft to be employed in the department. The act of Congrera requiring cletka to be clesaified and examined before appoiniment, seems to indicate an tention of procuring more competent clorka, and that the lenwe of office should ke more permanent. Many of the ainod unsettiel for several ye né the g neral condition of tae bus 3 Phill, ¥ tion, has busine ) an clocks bave families, and a Jarge number do not receive | sufficient corapem ation for their support: and ax the cont of living has greatly increased, the attention of Congress iy called to thin subject, with the recommendation that this elane of meritorisus oficers shall be better compen: mae, There in no limitation to the presentation of clains againat the United States before the aecounting ofiices, acd gerd Sirailowed, in whole or in part, are presented again ou vevoment AgeS Uplt LO tame, OF bul bighily ¥, of facia, There aze propedepta ia ike depart: | | lighthouses and I | ville, aod Barnstable, arrangements for sick and in | of June ni ith Carolina, Florida, and extends from Mobile nearly and from the bead of Galveston bay to re jaepy bay, in Texas. The other operations follow it omy. od hic recounoissance of our western coast drogra) has been made from Sap yr ed Frazer’s river, and preliminary surveys of most of the harbors, with charts of them, have been published, or are in progress. the history of such Regie does the promptners with which tion of the work en that im) keepirg pace with the development of a commerce itself without # psrallel, One hundred and forty-three maps and charts bave already been issued from vey office, including sketches of examinations of dangers on the coast where the regular surveys have not yet the localities, The report of the superintendent for the past year is accompanied with fifty-five maps ard sketches, showing the progress of the ‘work, and giv: information'important to navigation and commerce. T! necessity of publishing the numerous observations accu- mulated im this work, and upom which the results are founded, is respectfully urged upon Congress, Besides the usual sketches, a map, ordered by Congress, showing, by colera, the progress of the different parts of the work, is rexdy for transmission. ‘The present period of pros: erity shculd be used to furnish al! reasonable resources for the completion of this at work of sclence and utility; and, in order to facilitate its final completion, it is recommenced that the estimate presented by the su- pecntent set be granted. The deyartment has dorived important assistance from the coast surrey ia the sur- veys relating to lighthongerand in the location of surf. boats. In the distribution of the reports. papers, kc. the superintendent and his assistant should Ee vesie with the franking privilege. ‘A¢eport and supplement from the Lighthouse Board accompanies this report, exbibiting its operations for the st year. That board is charged with the duty of pra- ding and distributing supplies of all kinds to the differ ent lighthouses and t vessels; of making examina- tiona snd insirnetions; of submitting estimates of cost of repairs of the different towers, buildings, sea walls and light veuzels, and of raising, cleaning, painting, num- bering, and replacing all buoys authorized by Congress, &e. These duties have been discharged with promplitade and efficiency, and it is believed with economy. It will ‘be seen that there are now in operation S47 lighthouse 27 are in the course of construction, and 44 more au- thorized, but not yet commenced, There are 44 light versela in operation aad 5 in the course of construs- tion, The estimate for this service for the fiscal year euding June 20,1854, was $890,033. and for the year ending June £0, 1855, it is $006,101 43.’ These ligathouses and light-vessels, extending over our Atlantic and Pacilie coasts and our lakes, add greatly to the secunty of our ecmmerce, Which, as it angmente, culls for additional fght-vorsela on our extended coasts, and consequemily for imoreared expenditure. These light houses and light-vessels should be sufficiently numer- ous to afford the Lenefit of light wherever the safety of yeosels requires it; but. lights should not be so multi- plied as to mislead ravigatora, and should always be of the best and most reliable character for their positions. The science and practical knowledge of the Lighthouse Board, aided] by that of the east Survey, it is believed, guard the department against mistakes in the location of the lights, fecure the Less and most permanent lighthouses with the proper lights, and corfine the expenditure to the real Ubjecls sought to be obtained with the necessary economy. The abstract socompanying thia report shows twenty- three custom houses belonging to the government and now in use; also fifteen for which appropriations have been mace by Congress, and proceedings taken towards thelr construction. This abstract exhibits the condition of the title and jurisdiction to each as far as acquired; the progress made under the appropriations; the awount thereof, with estimates of the sums that will be required to complete those under contract; and the sums required to proceed with the others. Theappropriations are not suflicient to complete there buildings ef the materials tyle euitableto such structures, and there fore additional estimates Lave been submitted. ‘The construction of these buildings is confided to the department, and ulmost everything but the amount of the appropriation left to the diseretioh of the Secretary. No aystem bad been devised for the due performance of this duty, ror had the maxagement of the business been con Aided’ to any particular branch of the department. An architect hac been employed in the department at s sala- ry of $3,000 perannum, with travelling expenses allowed when absent inspecting the works, &e. He was paid out Cf the several appropriations, accgrding to the time giv: en to each work. Local architects and superintes- @ents had also been appointed, and were paid out of the appropristions, but there was no system of keeping or rendering accounta at the respective works, nor of keeping the same in the depart- mext.’ With a view to amore efficient management, application was made to the Secretary of War or @ scientific and practical engineer to be placed in charge of the construction cf these buildings, and Japt. Alexant er H Bowman, of the engineer corps, was detail gned to that duty. General regulations for the of the business have been adopted and sent to those in charge of the respective work: a department of construction organized for the supervision of the whole. The gencral reguiations accompany this re port, as also acopy of the local orgenizations, tn order that Congregs may #ee how the business of construstion ed by the department. The compensation paid ‘owman has been fixed at $3 per day, lesa bis pay |, with his travelling ex prnses whilet inspect ng fand the architect baa aiso been retained, to aid the department in his particular line, The work at the New Orleans Custom House has made good progress uring the spring, suunmer aad fall, notwithstanding the sickness at New Grlears, ani it is intended to continue the work through the winter. For the Charleston Custom House, the foundation {4 nearly completed, and the gran ite for the basement is being delivered; and this work also will de con'irued through the winter. Tho other Custom Houses contracted for, as etated tm the abstract, are in vatious stages of progress, and it is expected that greater derpatch. end an improvement In the wors and materials will result from the new arravgerents, ; It appearing that contracta had been awarded to per- fons wnskilied im the construction of the worka con- trecied for, and the contracts eubsequently sold, in the advertisements publiehed by the Ceparimont, notice was given that the contiacts would only be awarded to those yractically skilled in bailsing, and that assizaments w d net be allowed without the consent of the De tment, The custom house contracted to be built at Sar Fran 0, California, was located on a square embraced by *tis termed the government reserres, and a Jarge sum had been expended in fllirg up the square and piling for the foundation, The State of California set up claim to the reserves, and vpon investigation it was considered hazerdous to proceed with the custom house, as the title might prove defective, Notice was given to the contract. ors, andthe work was suspended, and applicaton made to the State of California for a relipquishment of ail claim to the custom honse rquata. The Legislature passed an get to sell the goverrme ‘eserves, excepting oat of the pale the custom hy lot but there was no release to the sim to it. Gonsequentiy the work nd the # pplication has been reaewed it is expected the release will be ob- tafnec, and that the contra will be erabled to proceed The abstract aecompanying thia report exhibita marine hospitals at Chelsea, near Boston; Norfilk, Virginia; Ocracoke, North Carolina; Cleveland, Ohio; Chicago, Illi- nojs; Pitsburg, Vernsylvania; Louisville. Kentucky: Pad- uceh, Kentucky; Natchez, Mississippi; New Orleans, Lou- itiana; Mobile, Alabama; and Key West, Florida. Appro- priations have been made for such establishments at Na- pol on, Arkanses; Vioksburz, Mississippi; Evansville, In. Glara; Portland, ‘Meine; San Francisco, California; and the hor pitals are in coume ef construction, and nome of them, as appears by the absiract, nearly ccmpleted. At Baltimore, New Orleans, Ckarleston, Cincinnati, Nasb- id reamen are wate with wedical hospitala and other i wti- tutions. In other and smaller ports, the collectors pro vice for iuvatid seamen, con’ormably to circulars from the cepartment. The merine hospitals sr part, by the hospital fand eoilected from pert’ by appropriations by Congre: fe eoustruc: tion of hospitela wil be under the superintendence of the ceparimert organized for the construction of cus- tom houses, and the Ff: system of accountability aud inspection will be applied to them, By laws and regnia- tions for the government of the respected hospitals, so modified a8 to suit each locality, have been preparei and put in force, and the charge ef then in this department, #0 avranged that the accounts are required to be periodi- cally rendered and ® proper economy enforced. These hospitals, with adequate provision for sick and disabled seamen, are recommdnded to the continued favorable con- sideration of Congress. The act of Congress to provide for the better recurity of the lives of parsongers on board vessels propelled, ia whole or in part, by steam, has claimed the attention of the de- partment. The super i , &s also the United States of all They eck fied in the act, and have been arduously waved in giving it full effect, There wiil not have been a yes perience, under its full operation, until about the ; but so 0 far its operation has been highly favorable, and gives reason to hope that better security, both 8 to life and property, on steam vessels, will be the result of its fithful and vigilant execution, laterroga tions have been sent out by the department, under the rovitions of the 40th section, ia order to elicit the in- ormation designated in the 30th section, (and when an- swers shall be received the interrogations and the infor. maticn elicited will be duly communicated. In the mean time, @ report received from the board of inspestors con- vened at Cincinnati, and airing much valuable information, erewith transmitted The operation of the act promising to be bighly beneficial, the Pacific coast should participate in all the benefits and arvs it is calsulated to afford. Under the existing provisions of the act this is impractica- ble,and therefore it is recommended that a new supervising district be established to ombrace that coast, with a super: vising inspector, Inconvenience arises from there bein, two reta of kcal inspectorr—one set under the act of 1838, and the other set under the act of 1852. The under the act of 1838 are inne way under the supe: tendence of thin department; alihougb, without its con currence, the meoenrary papers cannot be issued by the custom boone offi vere. ore under the act of 1852 are onder the suprrintencence of the department. It is | pot desirable that the boata inspected under the act of 1824 should be xabject to all the provisionsof the act of bnt it in desirable that there ehoold be but one set o bleneence, The ten thousand pany, under the of y, bay to the United States and = eh be eet Nt year 1863, and the earnings 0 it on com 4 under jon reqi the necessary make all the the improvements p. e of its establishment, and to protec: and guard rests of commerce. appro) ite act is wanted resent to provide superintendence of the canal, and the agent of the provisions of the act of the Legislature of Kent y, in order to make the cane} free, on Corn epecentie the commerce of thi jo, Attention is also called to the $5,000,00, the $10,060,0(0, agreed to be given to Texas in the settle. ment of the boundary of New not yet innued, but retained under the proviso to The late administration decided that ‘Texas mentioned in that previo must first be the United States before the stock could be issued, and the t adwinistration dete: mine? not to disturb that decision, The consequence is, that the creditors of Texas 28k | e remain unpaid, although many are willing to file their stock and Telsase all aa on United States, and re- ceive the proportion of $5,000,(00 accorded to them by FO ‘Texas, while the United States, with abundant means to cannot do so, and the det remains liable to « claim Fev interest, which, under the act, could not well be re- fused. Attention is also called tofihe fact that the treasury Duilding does not afford suffi it room for the accommo- dation of the clerks of the department, and that the land office, belonging to the Dep» rtment of the Inferior, is now accommc dated in the building, to the exclusion of part of the clerks of the Third Auditor, and of all the clerks of the First and Fifth Auditors. The baemgnt rooms in the trea- sury building have been found so damp and unhealthy as to make it proper to rent building, and move some of the clerks of Third Auditor from the basement. The Fifth Auditor and his clerks had been accommodated in the buildiog occupied by the State Department, but the Secretary, requiring the rooms for his own clerks, re- quested the removal of the Fifth Avditor and his clerks, anda aehieys was rented. and that officer removed to it, The rented buildings are not a3 safe for the records a4 the rooms of the treasury building, and there is great inconvenience in having part of the clerical force out of the building. and beyond immediate control. Attention is also cslled to the fact that James Collier, ate collector of San Francisco, was incicted for failing © pay over the revenue collected by him, ard for loaning t violation of law. He was arrested under a writ issued in accordance with the lawa of the United States, and when about to be conveyed by the marshal to Cali: fornia to answer the indictr ent, was taken outof his custody by writ of habeas corpus, issued by a Judge of the State of Ohio, and setat large. There is no law to transfer such cases to a United States Judge, ani no pro- vision for an appea) from the decision of the State Judze, ‘Attention is calied to the acts of Congress giving autho. rity torent warehouses and other buildings for the use of the custom houses. There seems to be no limitation to the authority to rent, other than the discretion of the collector and the sanction of the Secretary. Under pro tence of thia authority a contract was mace by my pro- decessor with Eldri¢ge, under date of the 28ch of August, 1861, to construct four warehouses in Fan Francisco, to be finished in eighteen mouths, and to reat them for the term of ten years from time cf completion, at the agreed rent of $1,500 per month each, subject | to rersluation every’ two years, Another con- odors Adams, to construct snother buillling, ind rent it for ten years, at $25,000 por year, the rent to be fixed anew every two years. Upon examination it was thouglat thet thera waa no ant ho Susratary to roake there leases. The Fldridg 2 structed, and about slcteen months’ reat paid, twelve months of it in advance, to the Ist of January, 1864, and the Adams contract bid just been made, Notice was given to Eldridge that the contraet wiih him was con: +nidered to have been made without suffictent authority, end that the buildings would ve abendoned after the time to which the rent hud been paid in advance, No- tice was given to Adams that the contract with him was considered to have been made without authority of law, and that the building would not be accepted, nor the ecntrect to rent considered binding on the United States, The attention of the department has since been called to ® joint resclution of Congress in relation to the bonded warel ouses in the city of New York, the proviso to which, it was contended, pave the Secretary authority to make these contracts ‘and leases, but which, under @ proper construction, gives no such authority. It waa subsa- quently thought that the rcceptance of the Rldridge houses by the Collector and the Secretary, and the pay ment of the rent in advance, might be deemed a renting within the authority given to the Collector and Secretary; and notice has been given that the buildings will be re- tained until Corgress shall cecide uj the subject. The notice to Adama has rot been withdrawn, and the build- ing will not be accepted unless Congress shall declare the contract and leasing obligatory. It is submitted to Con- gress that this authority to contract for buildings and renting for long periods, if it really exists, requires modi- Beation and restriction within proper limits, ‘An exhibit also accompanies this report, showing the number of persons employed ateach port, with the ex- Dees. Pemme resolution of the Senate of the 19th of January, 1863, requiring the Secretary of the Treasury to have pre- pared and submitted to the Senate, at its cext sess! ei ry reese revenue Jaw, with a view of superceding al. existing Isws upon the subject, &c., has claimed atten. tion, and some progress has been made in the work, which tis expected will be presented, in whole or in part, derine the session, and in time for the consideration o! sngress. The circular instructions issued by me from time to time, and not hereiutofore mentioned, also acsompany this report. All which {s respectfully submitted. JAMES GUTHRIE, Secretary of the Treasury. To the Hon, Linn Boyd, Speaker of the House of Repre- sentativer. TABLES ACCOMPANYING THE REPOR? OF THE S£CRE- TARY OF TUE TREASURY. Statement Frhibiting the Total Value of Imports, and the Imports Consumed in the United States, exclusive of Specie, during each Fiscal Year, from 182) to 1852 ; showing, al the Vetue of the Domestic and Foveign Exports, exclsive Specie, andthe Tonnage employed during the szue periods, Total Imports, Total Ex- including ' porta, inelu- ding Specie. $51,074,382 ending Inne 9. cof spocig:~ Forelen Exports excl exports—Free, 3! Sit,- 4H, dutighle, $11,202,107 , $13,095,218, Domestic ex re piS!,509, 162, Agaregato, $202,905,575, Com aud Lul- ion, $24, Stotenent Evhilitiag the Vote ign Merchanise La ported. He-exported, and. Constared annually, from VR to ivi, inclusive; aad also the rate of Consumption per Capita y the same period, Coneumed Consump dd tion per capita Ey an Re exported. on hand. bed ET) 17,054,553, * Years ending Leptember 0. | Nine months to Jun $ Your to Jan Statement Eel ibitina the Quantity and ported annually, from 1821 to 1385, Mts. ue of Tobacco Be inclusive. Av’ age cost per Hid. S49 tract was made on the 24'h of Fvbruary, 1855, with The- | d been com: | | steamboat service smounta to 2. Siggeneet enilaine fhe Falun of arnt Articles the years ending on the of June, 862 si ) and the is ler deducting the re exportations,) “Amount each, during the same periods, re+ ~ 1832, 1883, orcas che tc 317 saaise ais 927,40, %04 bs R pera moa spore eee te eer one 6358; 484 27,015,064 8,104,609 4)193'218 14,987,760 4,496. 380 sme —,000'40 Pik 4 121,698 "490,010 147,003 Statement Exhibiting the Qua ted aanually, from 1s Tierces, nd Ve ; to 1n08 ae, Rice Expor BLENEEIREES RAS EUaIAC SSE RERTRSSE BERRENEE SEE SSSERNHEN SSIS SSSNSENS Exports of Cotton from the United States. Average Total price per lb. Pounds. we. Cents. 40 $20,157,484 16.2 4,035, 0685 i. v4 210500, 204 ason0 10a 61°556,511 in the Year Ending June Average Cov Vielue. per Galton. Clarkes in easka, Other red wines, 3, epirite.. 2. Beer, sie, and poctor from Bngland,... .. Beer, ale, and poiter from Scotland, s close of each quar September 20, 1 December 31, 155 March 31, 1853, April W, 1853... t tor. THE NATIONAL POST OFFICE. The Report of the Postmaster Generale Post Ovrice Devarrmgnt, Dec. 1, 1853. Smm—The whcle number of post-offices in the United States at the close of the last official year, June 30, 1852, was 22,320, Of this number 256 are of the highest class, the postmasters at which are appointed by the President. At the present date, (1st December, 1853, ) the total num- ber cf pcat offices is 22,688. During the past year, oom- mencing 1st Jaly, 1952, 1,898 post offices were estab- lished, 479 were discontinued, and there were appointed to office during said year, besides the 1,898 postmacter to the newly-estabiished offices aforesaid, 3,860 upon 1@ signstion, $25 death, 182 change of site, 91 where th postmaster had moved away, and 2241 on remoral of prior incumbent, being 8,507 postmasters appointed Rite iow year ending 20th J une, 1853. At the close of tho fiscal year enciog on 30th day of June last, there wera in operation with he United Bistes 6,692 mail routes. Their ageregate length waz ae miles, and 5,553 contractors were euployed erecn. The annua! transporta'fon of the mails on those routes was 61,502,642 miles; the annual cost theres, $4,495,- 968; being about seven cents two mills per mile. Or ‘these 61,892,642 miles of anaual transportation, 12,286,705 miles are required to be performed on rail- roadg, ata cost of $1,601,529, being about twelve centa and three mills per mile; 6,635,005 miles in steamboats, ata cost of $652,568, being about nine cents four milla ed mile; 21,240,326 miles in coaches, at a oust of $1,206, - 58, being about five cents six mills per mile; and 20 890,- 446 milewin modes not specified, at @ cost of $1,055,312, being about five cents per mile ‘The inland service at the clore of the last fiscal year, when compared with the servic at the close of the pra- ceding year, thows an increase of 3,459 miles in the length of mail routes; of 2,0(0 $14 in the number of miles of an- nual traneportatiow, and of $665,997 in the annual cost of tren» portation, Of sach increas of transportation, the raijroad and 35,593 miles, at am in- creased cost of $452,562, being an increase of 12 62-100 per cent in the trscsportation, and about 26 99-100 per cent in the aggregate cost, the soach service to 631,506 wiles, at an inereaved cost of $77,072, being sn increase of about 3 120 per cent in transportation, and 6 9-10 par cont in aggregaie ‘and tke transportation in m not specified to $9,320 miles, at am increased vost of $25,- 663, being an increace of about 1 43 100 per cent in trand- portation, and 249 100 per crut in the aggregate cost. ‘The annual tranzportat ia Californ! included in the foregcing estimate,» at the close of the fiseal year was 656,806 milea, at oa annual cost of $143,214, being an inevense within tho year of 06817 miles, or 19 83 100 per cent of annual transportation, and $14,334 or 11 12-100 per cent in the cost thereof, The ennuy] tranepor ation in Oregon at the close of the fiscal year was 108,274 miles, xtan annual cost of $45,522, or about42 cents por me, Of this service 17,278 miles is performed in steamboats, at an annual cost of $17,000, and the residue of 90,993 miles in modes not specified, at & ee ki $13,522, or about 31 cents and three mills per mile, There should be added ta the other cost of transporte» tion, as above stated, the compenration of route agents, $108,224 65; mail messengors, $56,834 06: and local agents, $11,403 40; making ia all $233,067 additional, in- cluding the pay to agents on the foreign routes. In 8 table attached to the report of the second arsist. ant Postny neral, marked D, the length of railroad service will be seen, and the prices respectively paid ta each company. The sums paid to these railroad compa~ nies are fixed under the acta of Tia July, 1838, Janvary 26, 1899, and 8d March, 1515. Under the last mentioned act, it is mace the duty of the |’ostmasier General to ar- range and divide tha railcoad reutes into three classes, and to Pay fhem accordirg tv the wie of the mails, the speed with which thoy are conveyed, and the importance: ot the service. Considerable difficulty has always ex: ed with this branch of tha service, Sums are demanded from the department, which, in justice to great public interesta, it caunot consent to pay. The importanss of the service to the pubtic is the gieat question of consider+ ation for the bead of ‘he department; but if he, and the presidents and managers of the railroa! companies, do not view its importance aliko, tha nail is thrown down, and the public caused thoraby most grievously to sufler, ‘This is Cone sometimes, too, im the most summary manner, without any notice being given by which the departmout coulé be prepared to put on other service; and when thia is done, whether desiguediy or not, the department ia The citizens of the dilferent States are ted in thia question; and if they wish to to receiva their letters and newspapers at a of posteg ‘y must not permit these com- Jopartuent their own terms. In ‘nioa provision has been in- raiiroad companies, providing: cheap rat panies to dictate tr some of tho States of th serted in the charters of for reference, in cas» of a ciaagreement between the Postmaster General aod the companies. In neither of the acts which I have cod ia any pe wer given to the Post- master General to sgree to apy nuch reference; and if there were I shoal! very much doubt its poliey, In Eag- Jand this agreem: nt to cefer has acted unfavorably to the government; and ! s¢@ no reason why Men id rat giv~ ing each company ‘opportumity of being heard, should not fix the sum wbioa they are each reapectively to receive, In Fugland, also io Franca, and {a the other continen- tal States, the time for arrivals and departures is to fixed by ‘ost Office departments as best to muit the publi interests, Tn our own ordinary mail contracts, the time for arri- val and departure is entire ly subject to the ordeMf thio department, by which it is enavied to maintain an un- broken link of emnection; but in toe great majority of carer, though contracts have been drawn and sabinitted to railroad companies, they have not chosen to sign them. ‘The consequence has beep, that, though receiving the pay, they may bo stid to be entirely beyond the control cf the cepartment, aud the public interests have thereby greatly suitere!, ‘Alter entering upon my duties a head of the department, comp'sinta were made of tho insafti- ciency of the mail cars, and «fthe want of proper accom- modations; and s0 glaring were these defects in come in- stancen, that the mail agonta were unable properly to dis~ heir dutiss, now decowiog daily more important, owing to the increase of the way distribatioas, fo remo; this evil, I bad prepared a model of @ mail haf which had tragemitied to the prosidents of the different railroad companies; but in very few instances have my wishes Bis sur plied with, in those cason where the cox tess save we the power, to Dullé w mall-car, 0,054.28 ia 7 1 bee Was ensuite i pur, » wy heh Cowe, and ih ort ebasged (o the oomspacios; byt ln tag.