The New York Herald Newspaper, December 4, 1856, Page 2

" 2 auction and yaw waterial, usin one omuay af the these mer, aad Det ve not sufficient certtal to same elligemt, skillful and expe- he SEs MIs uty. A ‘the case; Great Britain admits robibit ef duty, and the United States usiness ‘hiry per cent. This enables the their ‘te imteriere with the American mani ab- wien markets, and to exclude him the Ret. It docs more: % surrenders State @ountries producing the raw material un take it, free of duty. Our mani oe cial States enjoy the markete of stom States, because there exists no oN unchartered Preference to foreign nations; but our ya ee eoma ercial and provision States do pot (the banks es of Marien, Central and South Amerigg and silver.) Bees Idies, nor of other nations inhabiting ‘beoks, amounts to Pacific, because these nations do not one-half that amount in the Rave but little else for commercial ex to capital, would give Yew material, which we tex, an $70,000,000 in both. An free of duty, in exchange for manufactures of deposites in the un. reductions; and alitnough we are more amount in the char. ved for commercial intercourse pom aa Tee Ja thane trade to the Furopean nations. Had tho ,! posites beaks. The chartered banks F iH E Z 5 5 5 g & hange the produc- With prejudices and we would sooa have become bound they to us, in the strong and enduring liga mutual and beveficial commerce. Additional employ ment would have been secured to our tonnage, HH £ i 2 ! 28 £ gad adonttonal markets tor our maou! end other products. Mexico, Central america, South America, the West Indies, and other nations on the shores ‘ef the Pacific, would have been learning to confide in us, ould bave bad ap increased interest in the sta- and prosperity of their governments. Tne en Imrgement of the free list and the adusission of the raw maicrial is suggested as the best and surest mode ef giving increased beneficial employment to our ‘afactures and other products, and of cultivating amity and trieodsbip witn off Southern neghbors, aad a'so tae Dest mode © promoting Our Owa prosperity, next afer the mutuai free trade we enjoy with eaca other, Mutual ‘weneficial commerce is all tha: is required to establish with these nations relations of peace and friend- ship, and remove from ibeir minds ali ap2rebension {rom ear expansion. We should tevk commerce and not do- minion When they shail know aod feel tnat commerce alone is our object, and that it is a8 Deneticial to taem as to us, we shal! win their couddeuce, and our friendship wil be insting. It will be seen that the total gold and silver coinage of ‘the United States mint from 1793, when tne mint was es tmblisbed, to Sttb Sepember, 1856, bas been $549,341 14 14, end that the enure im port from 1820, woen the account was (iret kept, bas been $493 605,743, aad the @xport $436 087,354—there being no account of tae im- ports and exports prior vo 1820 It ie not deemex peesibie for an agricultural, mapufac- faring and commerciai nation t prevent the export of geld and silver. be suge tn commercial transac:iens gold ad sliver, besides being @ measure of value, constitute articies of commerce, and must obey the laws of demand and supply. Tbe export may be restrained by having Qad silver currency of @ Gxed value, aad allowing ‘We civculation of no bank notes. or no bank notes no somvertibie into goid and silver on demand, and a foreign commerce that calls for iarger exports of other articles Mao the wanis of ovr citizens make it becessary to ia- port; but whist gold and siiver continue products of our mines, and remain articles of commerce, interval and ex- terna’, requiring equivalent exchanges, the export and of gold and silver wii continue, apd should be n> cause of asiarm. The desideratum of « sufficient uniform eurrency of w fixed vaive, im all the Sates and Territories, is a!) that ws required. so far as currency is concerned, to secure » sound and healthy toreiga of cotton portical siarmy @ency mm the grain crops, requiring large importa from other countries—the ex, of mercantile spec lations, cod a coniiaued worabie course of ig wade. ‘The establishment of & pure metallic currency would Pequire the witbarawal of the corporate » \aorrty given Beate charters wo 1,898 banks © and circa fate Dank noice as money, and the sejaent with. @vewa) of $195,000,000 now circulsied s ; therefore @ pure meiailic @arrency may be set down a1 imprecticabie under oar cemstitution and our lawt, 10 say nothing of the senti Svavement 5 “ ment of our peopie. t gives, as expect. ed, an increase in the number of chartered beaks ia tine Omited Siates, and an increase ip the capital employed by them. They constitute commercial a encies with $3 Septet cone ‘Tney maintain « circulation of mearly 000,000 of bank notes and aford such valuable ft @iiities to all branches of our industry as to mage it un desirable pow tw Cispense with taem. Their circulstion estimated at $100,000, 000 re ee Oe aes can ae ene xports, U2 10 sprember, 1856, bave ohea fs Heads $150,0¢0,000 to the amouat of goid ad ait ro ‘Whe country at $40,000,000, cOmmunicativn accompanying wis report; and the @epartment ai $160,000,000, upon tne data and for reacons Bu whe be the one or the otter, there bas beeo added w the gold and silver from $100,000.00 00,000" aimee the working of the mines ia, This afords satisfactory prox that tne 060,(00,060 of small note circulation, could be supple! from o ‘mires ip the course of Laree oF four yoars, wnboot Our currency of opproming any Drench of ve (my A Toe oniy ‘iterencs Would be the 1uppiy of a bome demand, inaiend of & fo Feige demand, 204 the consamptivn of & lees amount of forvign merchandise. Thw « healthy operation of trade Would ro0u accomplish Itremaus to waqutre in what maaner provision can be made 10 bave tue small note cirouiation withdrawn ano prohibited. 9 of the Mates there are bo Charieret backs, snd other of tue ates Dave oo authoriz-d the issue of small notes, whilet others, under a co: vict.on Of the il! effect apoa tne currency and upon their productive interest. nave pro! Wed thelr i ue and osuned ther withdrawal ie ie i te rest It o! a correct and corrected pu slic sentiment, ant = datiy the _ paymens wages accomplished for years compelled to ure small notes, sat w have Lot veed. or have pronibited weir sl ways infliots upoa isbor, or mach « render presentation for pay indiction of « ike joes, we |, Or have ceased to use them. At to probibit aud restraio ube \sae aad ii notes by & rosert w taxation, or by the evil aod dagger to our currency use, ander the hope that Coagress borizing their issue, would tate Ke of cir disooanes, wi'l redemption of reta notes it equires the same character of prudence and foremight, to Be able to pay deporiven, and to be able to pay retaruing w feature in banking presented ia tae thowing the exten: of capital em io bai proves banking ae well a8 & profitable pursuit, even witawat | be Of gubstitating bank notes for money. Too cha tered bat ke are mostly ooolned, by their charters, Ve the legitimate business of bankiog, viz dealing u mo j And as they are joint atonk companies, thay geae obtala men of integrity. prodens.e and ox perienor to Oomd vet th ir business, and enoounter only tae marari of pyr lomes aud discoants to their customers, the unchartered banks emoounter the same bazert from improvident discounts, ant also tae tempiaiion to portions ir capital in Outwide speculations whether in charsrea or unchartered banks Duriness of dealing In money, with skill, enooanters lewe bagzards thao most Mercantile parsaita. The one thoasaad three hundred and sine ty eight chartered banks aad branches with « of $544,000,000, and the private banks wh» ‘Of $18,000,000, ‘constitute so many oe As au article of trade and by & large corps of intelli men, wo, in he ganeral, | i bi | Dy i il i lf 3 rt i ! years, and by | eriickes om ire nctaations in the amount of their eo great, The existing laws require the importer to However, eres vigilance | protuce jo ie collector, bis inyoloe of imported ay ment of deposit redemption of notes and other out tanding claims, and ount of notes. Tae gold and silver upon which all thie 8 based is, but about $70,060,(00. These banks and their erations are diffused throoghout the States, and excite trade of the country. In this capital and ousiness the volome of influence they may exert upon the ousiness and prosperity of the country is fairly presented for consideration. An aggregate of the daily receipts and daily payments at all those banks would satisfactorily prove that this $70,000,000 is not dead capital, but performs its full part in our various commercial transactions. The mouey statements of the Treasury and state- ments of aeposites by cisbursing officers exbibit about $00, C1 0 at ali times im the national trea sury. e daily receipts and daily payments, covering more than $73.0C0,(€0 of annual receipts, ani more than $72,000,000 of appual payments, are daily drawing trom banks and business men, iarge amounts 0: gold and sii- ver, into the national treasury, in payment of customs duty, and in Payment for public lands, and cootrolling the ‘bapke apd the traders, in their operations, wailst the daily payments, at the national treasury, supply the gold and silver, to new channels of ciroulstion, without caas wg UEdUE pressure in monetary affairs. For the weekty transactions of the Bational treasury, see statement No. 87 This $30,000,000 is mot dead capital. The $10,000,000 or $12,060,000 of it allowed to the mint and branches, ‘or the purebase of bullion, is always active, being changed tor bullion and replaced by coinage, yet always ready for the wants of the national treasury, whilst the balance constitutes the diatributive fund, that gives conti- dence in the ability of the treasury to meet all demands. ‘Tn ube United States all reai snd personal property is saleabie, as well as the acral productions of agricul fure, manufactures and commerce, and, tp prosparous times, can easily be exchangei for money, and is the basis of eplarged and extenced credits, and acis in con- Junction with tbe bank credits and money in circulation, giving increase to the value of real and personal estate, all articles of commerce, and the wages of labor, ant thereby creating a demand for more money. ‘this state of things that wars. or wars, in ternal revuiutions or strife, political alarme and appre bended political changes, dedciencies of crops, the expio- tion of large mercantile speculations and untavorable trade act, destroying confidence, and with {t credit, 10 ducing the boarding the precious metals, tue withdrawal of deposits, the return of bank notes for redempiion, the ecpsequent of commerce in ai) ie channels and operations, the reduction ot prices and wages, with inability to purchase and pay, bank suspensions and general insolvency. There are no means of entirely Preventing this destcuction of confidence, credit, and commerce. The failure of a few mer chants, and dealers, occur est prosperity, and fleet upen the greet interests of society, aud serves 10 a (the more cautious pradent The 0 Ob a. aiidence, credit and commerse a!- co {w remorseless march, every interest and al- moet every individual. For this the remedy must be jooked for inp sound currency, well managed banks and prudent merchants end dealers. Under a system of Wine and just laws, giving security \o property, @ fair reward W Imbor, and affuraing a temperate and timely control of the currency and ali mercantile transactiors, we may confidently hope such a dieaster will rarely oc: cur. The dependent treasury, when over-trading takes Place, gradually fills ie vauite, witndraws the ly oo my 800, preening the banks we merchacts aod the 4 exercises that temperate and timely control which serves to secure the fortunes of individuals and preserve tne ge- eral prosperity Tbe iwaependent treasury, however, may exercise a fatal control over the currency, the banks and the trade of the country, and will do 80 whenever the revenue yscoed the expenditures, There has deen expended, since the 4th of March, 1853, more than $45 526,000, tn the redemption of the public debt. This debt bas been presented, ‘rom time totime, as the money accomviated in the pational treasury. aod caused strin gency in the money market. I! there had been no Je debt, and Lo means of disbursing this large sum, and again giving it to the channels of commerce, the aed 5 would have acted, ‘ataliy, on the baoks and on trade. The ooly remedy would bave been « reduc won of the revenue, there veing no demead and no reason, for ipcreased expenditure Alter determining to raise revenue, by tariff or tax DPOE imports. the question arises as to the best mode of fining the amoont it may de done, by levying « spe- cide som, with or without minimems, on es of weight or measure, or by a certain per cent va the foreiga valve, or on the home value, or by a combination of tae apeciic and”ad yaiorem principe. The fret mode re- quires weighers, geugers, aod measu for tbe arcerveinmest the = quanuty, and wito thet, tbe sum to be paid. 2 = ‘The vecond requires not only weigh: ere, gaugers and measurers to sacoriain the quaaticy, bur ainers to ascertain the or home value, and with twat, the sam wo be paid, The first hee but ove set of officers, wbiet ae ee aod apprawers iu aadition. weighers, gaugers and moa ourere may, from accident, want cf knowledge, or de ‘tign, 'ai) im aecervaiping the true quantity, apd so may the appraisers tbe dutavle value. la the first case, there may be errors to the prejudice of the government ; in the secend case like errore may, for like causes, exist in the eppraitement ; and with the double set of officers the cbasors of error and fraud are doubied. The epeciic sum attaches slike to ali quantities, and rewalta in unequal and unjust taxation. The article that coats a dollar pays therame tex ae the article that cosm ve, A stroog sense of the injustice resulting from levying a fixed som, ‘with or without # mint Upon all articies, no matior rala, according 40 the value, it becomes ad tulorem There may be some two hundred articles of commerve © which syectic Jones might be atssched, sooording 'o ‘weight or measure, but there are many, to which specific s HH mad 4 2 = " ich sitk, wool, hemp flax and couon are component parts, and brandies, wines aud sogars. The import of these articles for the fiscal year, 1866, amounted to $16,089,379, and the duties on them wo $47,168,850 05, as per statomont No, 38 of this t tari\T laws place portions of these articlas 0 diferent schedules, and impose differen ratec of duty ing 1 value and use and wo the chief value of the article composing the fabric. This makes tthe duty of the ‘aminers and appraivers to examine, classify and piace we article in it appropriate schedule, aad requires #kii snd \ime to accompiiah it correctly.’ A part of thie sxi! end iabor could be digpensed with by gutting all mano facturen of sik, Wool, bemp, flax and cotton, or of which any of eaid articles is a Component part, into one febedule, and st one rate of duty, and render the duty more certain and the Ia# more prac tleable in the execuvion. The fluctuation im prices, and consequently the fluctuation of datics, could be greatly lessened, if not wholly removed, by au thorizing and requiring the appraisers to (ix the vaiae « the time of exportation, at the average foreign valu» the last toree or four years. Toe appraisers must bnowledge of ail articles of commerce, the countries o their prodoction, and thetr quality and value, aleo of fae shipping and other charges, amd must keep themeel von informee upon all these points, in past years, as woll as at the current time. If the law sathorised them to go back, an \a&e the average of the preceding three or foor in xing upon the value, the ¢ xtreme aot ok price and dues would be avoided, aod the temptation to invoice below value lessened. The erated bave been selected for illustration the reason je applicable to duties om other articles embraced in the schedules, but the difficulty ie not NEW YORK ey i g ines te Eee any F reeaf Pou H te use of Represertatives and President of the under date of the 22d day of Juiy, 1856, and wr is i zt entry. The jaw, bv not makivg it the interest cf the im. Jone ol eens goods 10 look with lise vigilance his invoice and bis entry, places bim ina more tu yorable condition then the ter of purchased goods. It ts alleged that more than thirds of all tmported goods are on account of the foreign producer or manutac vurer. If they were placed on the same footing there would be fewer aitempts to enter goods below their foreiga value, and po ad: e allowed to the foreign producer or manufacturer over American purchaser and im- ter. a anawer to the call for the amount of United States and Siate stocks, &¢., held in foreign countries, the gene- ral summary from wy report of the 2d March, 1854, upor that subject, made in compliance with @ resolution of the Zepate, under date of 4th April, 1863, is given, o/ the tof sucb debts and the part’ beld abroad, cor- rected, a8 to the United States ptocks by information in the Treasury Department, and as to raiiroad stocks by the actual returns of ratiroads, as given in statement N). $2 of this report. There was not time to resort agala to the original sources for the necessary infor mation to make & more authentic statement. Tre oondition of the Karo z= money market during the recent war betwoen reat Britain, France and Russia, aod since, has not been such as toafford a market for additional American stocks, ‘whilst many of them bave been returned to America acd cashed, There can bave been no increase of Americas stocks held in foreign countries since the report from the is taken. It will be seen that the Donds of 113 cities and towns, 347 counties 76 weurance companies, 369 railroads, 16 can 16 miscellaneous companies, are all set d> $1,407.018,894, and the amount held by foreigners st $202,922, 987. Starement No. 88 gives the information called for in the 17th resolution of the House of Representatives, and exbibits the aggregate expenced for construction, repairs, rent, and | ogy a of custom houses, from 1826 to 30th June, 1866, at $9,116,987 77, and the aggre- gate cost and maintenance of rev nue cutters and other ‘vessels for same service at $7,670,045 68, aad all cthor expenses incurred im the collection of customs for same time at $48,269,168 39, the two latter sums makiag ac of $65,959,213 98 expended im the collection. jie statement gives $1,023,116,676 65, as the revenue collected from customs for the same time; and taking the whole expenditure of $56,969,213 98, the cost of collection joas been less than 53¢ percent, The $4,788,968 17 expended {a the collection, on the west coast, part of the aggregate expenses of coliection, has io- Greases. the cont of ‘collection, ies . of the Firet, Second, Third, Fourth, Fitth and sixth auditors. and of the Firetand Secoad Comp. voliers, the Commissioner of Customs, who acts as comp troiler of the revenue collected from customs and ac- counts connected therewith, and thoee of the Treasurer, Souicttor and eter of the Treasury, accompanying this Teport, lettered from A to 1, inclustve, give the operations of weir respective offices since my last which are The current busi and promptly ve not been fu)ly brought up, Bor be, consiveripg tbe various and complicated interests in- ivi ‘my last report !t was stated there was stil! outstend- ‘pg op the books of the ireasury the sum of $44,739,- 1253 41 of the $182,621, 164 60 found te be outstanding on 4th of March, 1853. Since that report, various cor- rections tn the accounts have been made, and also many collections and accounts closed to ihe amount o/ $1,916,- 845 40, and there hes bees added ic adjustment $1,076, - 104 30. The balance now outstanding is $43,808,962 41. t Tee department, ‘after a careful examinaiton and tnves- gation, ascertained that $6,218 34, of the amount now outstanding is utterly lost’ te the government, by the death of the parties without leaving any estate, or by hopeiees insolvency. Statement M gives « schedule of tbe names and amounts unter seven heads: No. 1 shows $1,415,651 56 lost in the Navy Jepartmnnt; No. ¥, $2,- 942.166 71 im the War Oepartment: No. 3, $670 83 16 ‘1 the collection of costome: No 4 $14,360 84 in foreign tmteroourse; No. 6, $69,490 40 on accoust of Indians: 6, $290,627'18 om ‘sacs of pudlic lauds, and No 7, $870, ths ¢9 on miscellaneous accounts. It is with the corsent of Congress, wo carry these to the sccount of profit apd lors, ou the books of the several Auditors apd Comptroliers, and on the books of the regiter. Io the twvestigation of balances due to the y of the — 80 indebted had taken the benefit of the late krupt law, apd claimed to be discharged from the yment of there jucgmente in favor of the Uaited under ‘heir certificates of diecharge. The ai mis = of thie o- would add several buodred thousanu jollars to amount lost, by insolvency, in the cal jection ef the customs But pot considering that these debts to the United States were embraces in the pro visions of the benkrupt law, several executions were ‘asved op such jucgments, in the southern district of New York, anc tm the marsbal’s bande for col lection =The parties moved tho court to quash the execa tions, because of the discharge in bankruptcy, Tne Cir cuit Court sustained the motiens, aad quashed the execa tion. This did sot consthate such s case as could be brought to the Suprem + Court, in consequesce of whica an action of debt was airected upon one of the } a for Wwe purpose of baving the question finally by tne decision of the Su; Court, ipreme ‘Tt was eleo arcertained tbat, of the outetanding balances due the United States, the sum of $1,609,072 32 was due from the late Gepesit banks, or frm persons Ly whom rome of raid banks had ase depts ani de mands in payment, or to re sure said ) Au inves gation bas been carefully made of the condition of those and the serigned ts. The scvompasying state ment N, upon the subject. gives all the information we Gepartment bas been adie to collect in relation to whem, from which it appears that most. if not all, of it is lost, by lapee of time and insolvency. [is submitted eutho ity should be given, from time to time, w carry these balances to the account of profit and loss, aad relieve the reerery satemente from these, a wel: as other iweolvenows ‘De betier to prosecute the investigation of balaocer doe, an apbabetioal list bas been mado aod Kept im thie offioe, for the purpose of ite being adie to retain the amounts, whenever the parties should be enti led to recetve other in the immoadiate and many of nese balaoves have Production of additional vouchers, jt office of the He been cored, by the and by payments. The cioring of these balances mm necessarily be ® wort Of much sod continuous labor, aod result in placing many of them in the scovunt of p ci and lone. owing to the bopeloas insolvency of the The receipts into the vatioval treseary from March 4, 78%, to Gh JuMe, 1866, during jances have scorned, bave been the expenditures $1, 837,721,046 10. the spetem adepied for the sale of the poblic lands im 1706 and 1800, the price wae fix ed, snd part required i cash and part on time, and credi# given for part of the purchase inoney, anv! the 24th of April, 1820, when Quegress reduosd the price to $1 96 per sere, and ax the cash system, terposed jor the relie! of the purchasers of the pablo lapde, by sliowing the coocentravion of the pariial pay ments to one or more tracts, end the serreader of the residue Thin reilevet the purchasers, and freed the govertment (rom the embarrassment of an immense and Accumulating aebt against pr adopted in |, for the collection of the revenue from custome, importers were allowed cre tt for the dutios npon giving bond apd secarity for the payment at a foture day, These bonds accumulated, aut aert commercial difficulties many of the partivs ‘aed, aod the bonds wore put in suit. This cine of Gedt, also, became embarraneing to the gyvern ment, and the bonds unreliable a revenue. The system war changed in 1842, when whe cash systom was intro- duced, followed im 1846 Dy the addition of the warehouse aystem; and now, in the collection of the revenue from costoms apd lands, there is no lose from credit sales or credit duties. The Only lone to be encoantered is the de faleation of collectors and receivers.,wno give secarity for the faith /n! ciseharge of their duties and the dae payment of all the public money they receive. In the custome branch, the orien of monthly acc: unts and monthly wet daily deposit of receipts, where there are tiements, wit! , When there are none at the place, has been in for more than thrée years Awd in the land rafts or orders to deposite, when the receipts eco late beyond & certaie sum, hae also been rigidly enforced, and baa tended to lessen the haz arde ir the collection and reosipt of the public revenue, and with the practice of examining, by an officer of the de partment, at « moment's warning, In connection with the penalties for emberziemont, we have a# great practical seourity as ean well be attained, if the proper care js taken to appoint none but men of integrity and capacity to cfliee, and to dismiss atl who fall in the prompt, correct and honest discharge of their daties. The receipt of the pubile revenne being thus provided fer and secured, a system of laws, for ite disbursement in ascordance with the appropriations, and for accounting and setlling fer the rame ot the treasury, war also provided. except where the disbursement is to’ certain army officers, require from the bursing officers bond and security for the safe keep. ‘re, faithial application and proper socounting for the p) Die money, to their care. Those laws aizo pre bibit, a ok, Jement, from Geyoriting the public money In banks, or loaning, or the entitled, and probinit them, under like penalt; coping, receiving or cers \cr credit any voucher, E t i i 2e is z f 1H rete “Ee ff Zz. Haus ile q H th elie il iy H : i A ' 2 5 i S i f Hi 7 By and accountip; for, he lio money. It is true, each if, fl pal g enc! otheer will have to make twelve instoad part vo the offlcer,a knowledge of the me! is authorized to make, and the cbaracter of the vouchers be must produce, and the necessity of pay Pg DO money without proper voucher. The montniy ccounts and monthly settlements will at once enadie the uperintending officers to see and kaow how tho daties re performed, and to displace incompetent aud diehoays: disbursing officers. It may, at first, require a few more clerks tn tbe accounting oflices; but after the system shai! im full operation, and the accounting eni settliog promptly enforced, it will take less time and tec: Rbor than ft did under the system of quarterly accounts and quarterty settlemenw. Had monthly accounts and montt ly settiements veen regularly eaferce::, and all jaihng disbursing officers promptly dismirapd, the jarge balances, Dow outstanding on the books of the trea sury, could not bave accumuiate?. ‘The Independent Treasary act, by prohibitiag the de- posi pubiic money in banks, or its applicatioa by oo! sectors, receivers, disbursing agents and others, to any otber use than that for which it was coliected or appro priated, made the declaration of @ souad and correst prin- ciple, and by authorizing the deposit thereof with the Tres surer, Arsistant Treasurer, and designated depositories placed itm the power of the public officers, to h. kept safely, in the ment vaults, without to them, or their sureties, and provided means, by which supervising oflisera could know, whether the fonds were kept always on <ceposite, ana only checkedjout, ina due course of disbursement, in favor Of the persons entitled to it All disbursing otticers should be required to make deporit of the fuads intrust ed to them, with the Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer. or designated depositeries, and to check only in favor of those entitled, and to make monthly returns of the sums dwbursed by them, with « statement of the balance on deposit, except im that class of cases, where the party is Bot con venient to a place of United States deposit. Tnese depositories, however, should be established in all seo tops, where there is or shall be considerable publix wo collected, or to be disburred. The regalatioar vo: ibe War, spd mast of the other departments, require wontbly statements from disbursing officers, of the amount disbursed, although required oaly to reader quarterly ‘accounts to the treasury for sotle ment. These monthly statements of disburse ments could reacily be converted into monthly acccunts, with vouchers for settiemea: at the treasury, for the information of the supervi- sing Officers, and thus a correct [al gun system of accounting and settling, be estab) 1a all branches of the public service. Theefficiency of the provisions of the independent treasury act, will never fully manifest iteei, until the depositories are 8 tly diffused, #0 that col lecting, recetving, and disbursing officers can deposite in thetr vaults, and mocthly accounting and settling at the treasury, is required ana enforced. The cash system, iu the disposal of the public lands, and in the collection ot custom duties, bas caused absoluie certainty, in poe - ments to receivers and coliectors. Toe eystem of daly deposites, where it can be done, and drafts and standing orders to deporite, as the amount accumulates, where there are LO depositories at the place of reception, with month. ty accounts and settlements, makes the receipts .nto the national a aimost certain. Why will not thi monthly accounts and settle ‘me Dis, give the same certainty in its disbursement? ‘The sysiem of selling the padlis lands on credit, aud giving credit for the duties on imports, has yielded to tne simple and better system now in force, and quarterly as. and settlements with the colieciors of customs bas to the better sy ; ana in the ry, monthly accounts and vettioments by disbursing officers is taking the place ol quarterly accounts and settiemests. The re coipts and expenditures requi! pt rendition and ney Wement ofaccounts. Furmeriy, wben the annual receipy apo ¢xpenditures were only $12,000,000 or $15 000, 0v0, the qearterly accounts onty included some $3,000,000 or $4,000.00; now, they would incluae some $16,000,000 or $12,000,000 of receipts and the ke amount of expend: ‘ares, and. pow, the montbly accounts would excce- $5, 0( 0,060 of Doth; and if, as formerly, the quarterly accounts were Lot rendered, until near the close of the next quar ter, ot petttied at the treasury until near the clue of ‘pe third quarter, the unsettied ascounte at the trea: 1d exceed some $45,000,0(0 of receipts, and 000,0C0 of disbursements, with almost an iapos sibility "of the beats of departments knowing »betner eceivers, collectors and disbursing oilicers were properly discharging their duties. Ine pubdiic money collected from the taxpayers, for the covernment, im all well reguiated and overnments, should be safely pm aud howestiy «ppiie€ to ibe objects for which it was levied, and such + System of laws and accounting established, as vo mace It ttpossibie tor the officers intrusted, with tts receipt and alsburrement, to apply it to their own use, or allow their ps nds to ory bow use ee be origis om iatory of 1 £6 balance, now oatstand ing at tbe treasury, would make !t manifest that the pao n@ money was heretofore devoved to private use, aod sitow ed to remain unaccounted for until, in mat y cases, tbe parties Decame lasolvent, aod in order to cover sume weated and lest by private we, set up unfounded claims for credite and services. This babit of applying tne public money to private ase, Bad become so estadiahed, as to be considered allowable, ant no diagrace to-tne offcer—ro much 80, that the ofllses were sougn or the une of the public mcney, more than fr the hover of the office and ite salary. Independent (reasary ect was tended to remove this inculcate souna abd bepest ples, as to the use of the paoiic money, «nd brend the delinquent officer with criwe To have chia effet, the aot must be rigerously enforced, and have whe active vigilance of the supervising officers, with the sid of monthly secounts and setlements, aad the promp: “iemisea! of all who viorste the principle In fact, uo one orthy to have or retain public office or situation, who dees not yp yy oy ¢ of the Indepand ent sreasury act, and give it eflect, ia ail bis official trantactions. An agent or officer ot the govern ment cannot without @ sacrifice of principle, use the pub ie money for bis own purpose, nor allow others to use t, Bor speculate upon ihe government, whowe interest he ‘6 sppowted and psid to guard and protect. Heaas of ( epartmente are entitled 1 the most certain means of weertaining the conduct of persons employed to receive or Gleburte public money, and it is Delieved that nowc cap De devbed that would prove more efficacious thao mwouth'y aor ounts and settlements. In this copnection, attention is called to the various aud complicated dubes of the accounting offivers of the trea rury, who state and settle the annual accounts of receiv ers and collectors, to over $75,000,000, and the annual acer unts of claimants and di;bursiog agents to ore toan $72,000,000. This subject was referred to in my last ax ‘ual report, with @ statement of the Principles of socou senting the high qual proper diectarge of officers, and er pecially Leads ae ‘A further consideration Ject, and tts great importance, mente there mace, toat both Jor the soundest and abiest lawyers, of integrity ani s4. minwstretive qualities that can be tiona, apd thet the revied and increased. Toe : petent and rkilfal officers, whi volved ena fe nel receipts and expen . competent to take ivons, are ly men in the meridian the treasury, be right of individusis, and shocid hav vent salaries, and be able to devote theme! be specie: duties of thelr offices, without distract interest. They should be always im piace, and know that the acsountante and clerks are capabie And Altentive to their duties; that all arresrages are brought ap, the records and Giles in order, and the current business promptly and correctly disposed of. ‘They sm alao fool an active zeal and pride in the pro. per dine! of the of their offices, and inapire ike zeal and pride in sil officials under them. Such o® ere are ensential to just and prompt settioments a, tao ry. and the proper condition of that branch of the @ government cannot alford to ap point or to retain men in there offices who do not possess there qualifieations, or who fail to give their whole time to the dutes confided to their charge, or who are inditler ent to the condition of their offices and the maoner in which the duties are discharged, or to the qualification, integrity and attention of their areistants Attention if called tothe remarks of the Third Auditor 7 the act of the last session proviaiog for the payment the California war bonds, and the departure, ia that inetence, from the bitherto almost nalversal praciice of the government in causing ai! claims of that kind to be parted upon by the aocounting officers of the treasury after an invee Of the facta, or by authorized com misr'onere for the imvertigation of the facts. If the co partere, in this instance, is made & precerent for ihe pey ment of such expenditures by the states and te rriwrioe bordering om the Indian territory, and by the states to time cf war and insurrection; the national treasir) would be pls ced at the will of State and territorial officers, over whom the ment that pays bas aod’ can have no control. The precedent, f eeabiicned in bin Came Of Canet, Would Boon be extorded to othor citi en of claims, whore tho claimants demred to avoid the + xeminations by the experts of the treaeary. Phin estat lw hed, Congress itself would be the investigators and socountants, where everyting would be e pa-te. | atts i tne ie ree aut | gee g ‘ 8 3 28 z FS & F a ue i 8. E : i ti 2 E national treasury, and r, the responsipilit, . It the system adopted and enforced the beginning of the government was, and is expedient ae ae Ao peqaally "exyediont “abd” fat. in. alike ment, it is lly exp jas al ce ae ano should be adhored to; but if not the mode of settling and adjusting claims against the treasury hould be changed, a0 as to afford oyual benefits and ad- vantages to all. ‘The in¢ pendent treasury act has been carried into ef- ‘ect ube past year, as far as it bas been practicable for be department to entorce it. Most of the disbursing ofti- ers of the government, where conveniently situated, pave, and continue to avail themselves of the conve nienee and security of depositing tn the vaults of the trea- surer, assistant treasurers and public depositories, as will ne seen by statement No, 89 of this report. Those who bave not deposited in the vaulis of the goveramnt, al- ‘hough convenient, construe the act of 1846, a» allowirg the officer @ discretion upon the sub- ect, ‘This they sometimes exercise by making what they term special deposits, with bar tered and unchartered banks. Thesesurity of the public money and the prevention of its appheation to any other than public use, calls for explicit legisistion upoo ta» subject and the extevsion of the pensities of the act of 1846 to those ee 9 puolic moaoey from disbursing agents and others who bave public money in their hands. The courts have found difficulty in spplying the act to all cases within its spirit because thought not to be, techaically, witnia its terms. ‘Tho amount trarsferred for disbursement duriog tho ‘os ear was $35,088,113 92 at acostor $12, jist the premiums paid on sale of treasury eon $54,924 16, leaving $41,978 29 over and it is believed that, with care and of public money will hereatier bo ‘through the agencies of the treasurer, assistant \weasurers, and depositaries, without charge and withou risk, except under extraordinary circumstances, and in pect The receipts and expenditures, duriog the peet fiecal year, have amounted, in the aggrezate Ww $146,866,988 48, aud have all been, in the conatiutional currency of goid and silver, without avy dieturbiag effect upon the currency, the banks, or business of the covatry. However, the withdrawal and prohibition of the smali- note circulation of the banks is still deemed essential to a sound and stable currency, and to be called tor, by the best interests of all the States. The accounts of collectors of the customs continue jo be rendered, at the close of each month, and to be adjusted at the treasury, within the sdoceeding month, with but few exceptions, and (hose princivaily om the Pacific whica require a few weeks lvuger, for their recetpt and a¢justment The system of monthly disbureement and emotument accounts, with like moatn- ty adjustments at the treasury, has been introduced since the date of my last report, and promises to be equally, if not more, beneficial than the system of ac- -yatem adopted for Neeping books, making eatry for *ystem (or ie 5 1 coa- sumption, warehousing, and transportation aad expo-ts- \ion of merchandise, end of making returns to the de- partment, mentioned in my last bas been atten ‘vely continued aad enf with certainty and uvl formity, im the returns of the collextors of the public revenue. The statement No. 30 contains @ full exhibit, of ia the Ist of July, 181 each succeeding month, until the lst of July, with the amount ef merchandise, entered for consum, \lon, durteg each month, whether in the original eutry, or from wharebouse, and the goods entered for transports to interior porte for exportation during each month, and the received during oacr month, from other . These returas are miie direct to the Treasury Department and are confined toa clerk, whose ~—- is to keep the files, enter the returns and make up monthly statemeats. He also keeps the abstracts required to be sent to the ent. of g00ds entered and bonded fer transport end the ac knowledgments of the rece pt of merchandise, at the pots of destinaticn, and enforces the seading the abstracts aad acknowledgements, and the due canceiment of the trans- portation bonds. The returns thas required, enable the department to understand, how the business is betog c. cucted, and when tt is necessary to have the books of the port examined and ite business investigated. The state- ment exhibits the movements of merceandise during each month ot the year. The revision of the revenue laws, prepared by the d partment under a resolution of the Senate, and sent to Uhat vody at the first session of the thirty third Cong. ess, and referred to ia my lest report, still remains for toe action of Coogrers. The revenue laws consist of various acts of Congress, commencing with the organization of Sogrconeees, with so many amending, repeating, ard conficting provisions, that it is exceedingly diificolt wo as certam what is, and what ts not, in force—coreequentiy, what ts the law upon any particalar point. The ment, in making this revision, conformed to existiog laws, «ith euch modifications and new sions, ay were deemed proper to make the law conform to the vrerent coo- dition of things and the warts o! tte service. This revi nes been egain considered by the department, dry amendmente and additions recommended the sepction of the Committee on Commerce tn the House of Representatives, at ite late session, and, with the revi. ot Congress. tt i z \aws, as now existing, called for a revision and moditica- Hon of the circular instructions of the departmeat upon subject. The collection and revision of the circa the lars a8 one code, ie vision on many Rccounts, but upon none more tha: upyn the subject of Invotoes, entries, apprairements compeora tien to cfiviala, and im relation to enroiliog and licensing vessels for the costing trade. There are suite ageinet collectors involving questions uw; all these su’ The confiteting decsions of the yt and the Uir- cutt Courts. ip moet of these cases, canuot be reviowed in the Supreme Court owing to the amount involved. Bowmaa, No, 90, who is in ipitais, to the proper > tribute to the fund, 1s one of much interest, and has given tbe cepartment considerable aoxie:), oecause of the ea- = © improper and waateial expenditure. it bas servania, and the government and’ supervision of the hospitals. Theve instructions heve veen published, and are pow being enforced. They will be found in the re. code of circular inetructions mentioned of comfortanie reitef to rick sailors orde the same neces sry bat is farnisbed in tis covert ment horpttals, and at less coat Th ts bette ved thes the contract system could be heno- ied, to many places where the government by allowing the use of the hoapital and for the sick ; and that under Ube bowpitais, under charge of fry 4! by the Gepartment, and it ie suggested that authority be given to make euch contracts. Report No 92, with the scoompanying documents, gives the operations of the Lagbinouse 4, sinco tne cate of my lest repert, with the condition of the works nder thoir charge. duties of the board have been performed with commendable vigilance and ability The gremt facilities siforded to comm: by the opera. none of this board impert interest to the subject, and re cc mme to the continned favor of Congress: The coast survey continurs to engage the constant and vigilant attention of the superintendent in charge, and it i beleved the money riated is beneticwdlly and ccrnomically applied, to the early accompliehmant of the survey. and most reliable information as 0 Our extenrive coasts and Domerons harbors, cannot bo Dtained without such ® survey. It is believed the mm pertance of the survey to national defence and to com- and the pubjicstion of all the ascertained tacts, wil continae, aa beretefore, 9 recommend the wrvey to the favor of Congress, until it shall be fully ssoorplich- eo, The report of the Superintendent will, as asual, be made to Congress during the session The report of the Superviring Inspectors, No, 09, also socom pantes thie report, and gives the operations of the | Jaw, tader Which they are sppointed, for the past year, | ‘upon that subject, to Senate, ander date of the 28th of April, 1866, which companies ihis report. Attention is also called to the commendations of my letter to the Chairman of the mitwe on Retrenchment of the Senate, under date of 17th of April, 1856. It wil be seen from examination of statement No. 6 the State bonds, held in trust for the Indians and for Smithsonian In tition, that in some cases the bave made no provision for the payment of toterest, and may Lot provide for the payment of principal. The United States baving made the investments for the Smithsonian Inatituton, have to provide for the payment of interest, and will bave to pro- vide for the payment of prinet i! ever that becomes payabic, The action of the United States in carrying out the :pecial powers vested in i} might be kept distinct from the action of the State governments, and without the relation of debtor and creditor, and the irri- tation growing out of that relation and dejaulws. It te Suggested that good policy requires that c vurae, and that the United States should dispose of the Stave bonds now held in trust, and realize the loss, assume theso debts, and by # general law provide, when moneys have or shall become payab’e on ume, under Indiaa troaties, «F without interest, that the treaty obligations sball have the same force as Unitet States stocks on time, or in- terest paying st ck, and interest and princ pal payablo ae it matures, without other investment. [t will also be seen by réference to statement No. 7, that the United States bold stocks in corporations in some of the States. Ii is submitted that itis not well for the United States to remain a stockboider in these instita- tions, and exercise w control or toflaence in the ment apd airection of their affairs, and tuat authority should be given to dispose of these at the market Value, or otherwise dispose of the United states share {a bese corporations These recommendations are made ecause it is beileved, for reasons that reaaily # themselves, the Unived States ought not to bo in the rela: ton of creditor to any of the Stetes, aor that of stockbol- er ip any of the corporations created by a State. The Louisviile and Portland Canal, now the sole pro- perty of tue United States, has been under the direction of the Treasury Department the past two yoars. ‘The tolls, by direction of the department, were reduced one-hal, and the receipts for the past two years have been expended in the repair of the locks and < =p of the canal, improvement of the bridges, &c. Te- port of the cperations will be laid before Congress as soon as received. All which is respectfully submitted. ” JAMES GUTARIE Secretary of the Treasury. Hon, Jmssx D. Bricut, President pro tem. of the Senate United States. An Attack on Souihern Ohivalry by A South- ern Minister. The following argument against the practice of duelling is taken from the thanksgiving sermon of Rev, 8. Gilmac, D. D., of the Unitarian Church, delivered in Charleston, 8. C., on the 2¢th ult. :— And turtber, is there nothing to mourn over in the con- tinued practice todo, or, if you choose to call it #0, the Continned necessity of duelling, which in a singl hour throws a whole community into a panis of ex: ing great horror, and barrows their souls as with a red bot iron—muiiplies agonized widows and orphans as !7 im very sport, perpetuates an old barbarous medieval cus- tom.which by the way it utterly mistakes, since it was ori- ginaliyfan appeal to God to vindicate suspected Innevence, whereas now there ts no appeal or reference to God at al —converte twe men virtually into two murderers and suicides at one and the same generally makes one of the parties a wretched man for tife—and after all is over, leaves the point of bonor end the sub- ject of dispute just where they were before, with nothing ‘expimined, nothing justified, nothing vindicated, nothing eettled, really wiped away, since it is ridicalons tw suppose that the fi through a hollow tube of two material butlew, made of very beavy lead, can convert the truth into a lie, or a lic into the truth, or wash an aspersed character clean. For whoever now imagines ‘unat succes, 1D a duelling eacounter is a proof of innocence eeaee ie: ie i iwfinitely greater evils, injustices and fairly be alleged sgainst the practice. And to allow the Ser plage mre oe faver of juelling ss cn intimidating preventive, it amount to more than @ balance of eovsiderations Decaure the tppecent cay Bg enns ge just_ as mi poeed to punwhmeni as guilty and offending. Thos 1t violates the broadest maxim of the common as well as than expose ur Yer. 20 long a* society is Hercules’ shirt of paradoxes aud absurdities, which puis all obviovs and vatural moral ideas to iligbt, and playo with life and death, as childr 7 jong ae grav: Fon neg tne _ young men entertain this thing as » necessity, an ‘or it rules, and laws, and codes,Qand nice observaa E i E i cos, Ld othe m ihe evil one—if one is right, the other must be wrong ; 10 long, | sey, as this strange and unaccountable state of ib prevails in 1 Christian community, and among men Chrietianiy educated, and wepaine wo believe in and reverence Christianity, so 'ong | must feel note litle staggered aud cistreescd in celebrating my annual thanke- giving and eipgi:g my rejoicing peaim. Lawnencs Nov. ps0, Charlies Heys, the murderer of Buffam, itr eon released on bail by Judge Lecompte, Governor iseued an ‘order to warghal Donalson w re-arrest him. The Marshal. however, declined to execate the order, but sent in bis resignation” The Governor thea sent Colonel Titus to make the errest, and he succeeded in doing 80. Hays bas since, at the of is pupposed, commenced false imprisonment. The diflicuities between Judge Lecompte and Governor Geary have been sccam for some time, till now the breach seems irreparable. It is not Judge Lecompte will be removed. ‘The following are the names of the twenty free Stale at roo | who were convicted of man- pad seni with prisoners: wiavg bter, to five years bard labor ball an ‘Thomas ‘ine, William Jordan, Payne, E. bag og A. Jacob, Joha Presto, A. C. Soulle, Henry Hurd, Hi, N. Bont, Job: are, James R. Whiie, FE. D, Whipple, Miram Kinsler, Tho- Lo a 8. Stewart, F. B. Swift, 0, H. Calkins, Alenso ‘awford. Ephraim Patoter was also sentencod for six years, and Oe hs Et nen pet ze 'o) tchie, formerly pe dey. He waiked out beyond the line tunel when bis back was turned, for him to get awey without re crossed the line, came sgainst be drunk, and eaid he was going The rentine) did pot know him, him, and after arly ing with him finaity turned aad waiked off. As fiver iat sight and bas gove North, wer inst bas . These convicts were to have been i it H fl The land sales at Fort ven very rlowly Lands twenty miles back from tl are selling for about three dollars per acre. get their claims at the appraisement, Bave bid in most of the the 3 H to $2 per acre. Pro sia lands not claimed by Poribwest corner of the tract, Leavenworth City and from the riv Uvely little impo: tance tm T begin to question whether these pro-siavery funds w! hold out muca long bay order, if possible. i basing, and induce them to return home. John A. Campbell, Asreciate Justices. The Chie! Justice apnounced to the bar that the Court would commence the cail of the docket to morrow, ander the 36th rule. Adjourned. “ADVERVINEMENTS RENEWED EVERY BAY. PU: LANs MODRL PATENT, COMBINATION CUSHION tables are now ready for use in MADUKN'4 beautifal room, in front of Lanra Keene's theatre, 622 and 624 Broad- * iebrated player, Barney al, is engaged, eady to instruct thowe desirous of learning the The © will ber me. GAME OF BILLIARDS,” BY MIC! . wiih Wustrations, jnst published. Peet Ringe Jed iree on recely by UOONNOR & AK, biliiard table makers, 63 Ann street, wy ipt of price, -D INFORM THR PUDLIO THAT WwW. iTHiard tables of ail siren, “Wis orcad hand tables, with marble and sood heads will be soll cheap. Alto, had Dillierd room for sale or to rent. Tnqaire at his manu [HE FIRST ANNUAL PALL OF THe HENRY V J, Velror Muskeroers will iak® place at * bio's yes dey evening, Dec l., Ticketa may ba procured or onthe evening of the bail, or of any.o¢ tho comantins aug Luane street, uP FE. R. Bexeniet. Seeretary. ‘uistie RALL—AT NIBLO'S GARDEN, THURSDAY G.evening, December 4, 186 —The managers of the Thiele Ke nevolent Association in returntng their most gratefal thanks: to thaie sountry men and the bitherto generous supporters ofthe 1} atle valle, again invoke ther aid, and beg fo remind them hat the pr ceeds are annually distributed among those in dis. esa, without regard to nationality. Order of dancing accord- | £ % programina, compriaing great variety, and introduc ‘Le newest and most fasbionable dances Tickets $2 onch, ak 2 jtting » gentleman snd wo ladies, to be had at the ‘miusic ores, Niblo's Garden, of of either of the managers ‘WM. G. MCKENZIB. Beoretary, 6) Wail street, REGATTAS. BS pte egy REGATTA © een the committer, at 16d WARD, Jr., Chariuane A meeting of ‘hie cinb wil be held at dete at > el, on Thuraday evening, 4th instant, at Te 0'ehos I netual attendatice is desired.” By order of the Bre-hient J. ARNOLD CROSS, Secretary,