Documents accompanying the President's Message. [22d CONG. 1st SESS. in deposite at the yards, are over a million and a half in forests of England, preserved for public purposes, have value. sometimes been considered one great foundation of her The amount of purchases, under the act for the gra-naval greatness. dual improvement of the navy, in deposite, is nearly half a million. The amount of property on hand for repairs is almost a million. The ordnance, provisions, &c., amount to upwards of a million and a half more. The plantation of trees, commenced a few years since in Florida, was not deemed a proper subject of further attention by my immediate predecessor, more, however, it is presumed, from doubts about the legality and necessity of that particular measure, than about the utility of careful attention to either the growth or safety of our live oak The paper annexed (I) will present any further detail generally. No expense in respect to the plantation has desirable, on this subject. By this, it will likewise be yet been authorized by me, except such as seemed indisseen that the property belonging to the navy has rapidly pensable to secure the benefits of previous expenditures. increased, and is increasing. Some new regulations in A more extended plan of agents and vessels for the disrespect to the accounts for property, which exceed in covery and preservation of such live oak as is now growamount the moneyed accounts of the navy, will probably ing on the public lands, was devised last winter, dividing be introduced into the rules for the service now under- the seaboard from the St. Mary's to the Sabine into seven Es going a revision. The object will be to ensure ample districts, with an agent in each, and stationing three small security to the Government, strict care of its interests, vessels at proper distances on the coast, to aid in the same and the greatest precautions against waste from accident object, and in the survey of the bays, navigable creeks, or neglect. and rivers of that region. This plan had advanced so far The real estate, as well as the personal property, be- in May, that it could not be at once discontinued without longing to the navy establishment, is very valuable, includ- much loss. The measures necessary for a fair test of its ing navy yards, hospital grounds, sites for magazines, and merits have therefore been completed; its benefits, if their respective buildings. The titles to some of these, answering original expectations, will soon be developed, and to parts of others, are in dispute; and the evidences and, whether failing or successful, the trial, it is hoped, of the titles to some are not collected and preserved will lay the foundation for full information as to the quantity together. It would be very conducive to the security of and location of this kind of timber, will assist the Governthis estate, and render the transaction of business con-ment in the reservation of those public lands where it cerning it more expeditious and satisfactory, if the exami- abounds, and enable the department hereafter to recomnation of the titles, and the various controversies about the mend a substitute less expensive and equally efficacious. estate, and if the collection and preservation of all the In the paper annexed (J) is a minuter detail of the prodocumentary evidence of those titles, were devolved upon cecdings on this subject. one of the law officers of the Government. Intimately connected with the interests of the service, The act of Congress of March 27th, A. D. 1804, makes are the purchase and use of iron tanks in all our vessels in the commander of the yard at Washington the navy agent commission; they are now prepared only for ships of the for this department. In the changes since adopted re-line and frigates built out of the fund for the gradual inspecting navy agents, no separate and permanent one has crease of the navy. The convenience derived from them been appointed at this yard; but the duties have been in ballasting, the increased capacity they leave for stores, performed by the commander, without giving any security the greater security to health in the quality of the waterby bonds, and without the usual check of an approval of all conspire to render a specific appropriation for this his purchases by another officer. The duties of agent to object very desirable, and in the end economical. (K.) the department were never specially imposed on him in The building of steam batteries is another subject of practice, till the past summer. This last change has been much interest. While such astonishing improvements made in compliance with both the letter and spirit of the are making in the application of steam, it would be imact of Congress, and has contributed to public conve- provident to overlook its probable importance hereafter nience, by the saving of time and labor of the officers of in maritime warfare, or fail to keep pace with other naval the Government, and to those having business to transact nations in any new means of attack or defence. The exwith it. It is recommended, for the obvious reasons be-periment made here soon after the successful introduction fore suggested, that the duties of navy agent to the yard of this power, in the building of a steam frigate, was, and to this department be hereafter separated from those perhaps, equal to the state of skill in the use of the power of the commander of the yard; and that the usual re- at that period. As that frigate, however, has been desponsibility, and a just compensation, be annexed to the stroyed by accident, and as the machinery since obtained former office. (C, No. 7.) Indeed, the whole system of for other steam vessels of war is not the best now extant compensation to navy agents, whether permanent or temporary, has for many years depended so much upon large and arbitrary allowances, very questionable in some particulars in point of principle, that further legislation on the entire subject seems highly proper. A new arrangement in respect to the draughts drawn by our agents on two foreign stations, and in respect to the payment of the draughts drawn on all of our foreign stations, when payable in London, has lately been concluded on terms much more advantageous to the Government. for such purposes, it is recommended that an appropriation be made, to enable the department to exchange it, or to purchase new and more appropriate machinery, and to erect, soon as may be, two steam batteries of twelve heavy guns each, on the most modern and approved models. (L.) The improvement of the navy depends so much on the character of its officers and seamen, as well as on its vessels, docks, yards, and building materials, that your attention is invited to some circumstances calculated to exercise, As a part of the plan for the gradual improvement of in that respect, a favorable influence. It would hardly the navy, the attention of this department has, for some be useful or decorous to dwell on former recommendations years, been turned to the rearing of live oak, and to its from this department in respect to many important changpreservation, when found growing on the public lands. es, chiefly as regards rank and pay, a limited peace estaAbout a quarter of a century ago, it was estimated that blishment, a naval academy, further discriminations in the full growth of between four and five hundred acres favor of sea service, additional provisions for hospitals, of timber trees was annually requisite to keep the British the abolition of such a large and vexatious system of disnavy in its condition at that time; and such is the rise in cretionary allowances, a division of the duties of the naval value, as well as scarcity, of good building materials in board, a change in the powers of pursers, and in the mode the progress of high agricultural cultivation, that the royal of making purchases for the medical department. Most 22d CONG. 1st SESS.] Documents accompanying the President's Message. of these recommendations have my decided approbation.ceeded to such an extent as to require a special resolution In addition to them, the state of the service imperatively of Congress in 1830, and a particular provision in the ap requires the adoption of a few alterations connected with propriation bill of 1831. But by placing this establish the instruction on shipboard to young officers, and with ment, as in former years has been proposed, wholly under the welfare of some who are highly useful in their sta- navy discipline and laws, most of these difficulties might, tions, though acting in subordinate capacities. Thus, it in my opinion, be obviated, all the present benefits of it is believed that greater benefits of education to the youth- to the service retained, its increase in numbers rendered ful midshipman, while at sea, could be obtained by a more unnecessary, its old associations preserved, and much liberal compensation to schoolmasters, and sedulous atten- greater economy, harmony, and energy infused into its tion to the purchase and preservation of nautical books operations, without derogating at all from the respectabiand instruments; that the important class of sailingmasters, lity and usefulness of the corps. Should the system reas they are not in the line of promotion, will soon become commended in the document annexed (C, No. 12) be fully extinct without emoluments more nearly equal to what adopted, the saving is estimated at over $40,000 annually. can be commanded by them in the merchant service; that But, in that event, the officers not needed should, in jus the carpenters and sailmakers are paid much less than tice, be transferred to the army, and the saving to the those not in commission; and that the wages of gunners Government would then fall short of that amount. In its and boatswains are entirely insufficient. It happens that hospital and staff departments alone, a change of less exthe moral and religious benefits anticipated from the em- tent as to officers would save to the public more than ployment of chaplains, in our vessels abroad, though ear- $10,000 annually; and a portion of the expensive call for nestly desired, cannot be fully obtained by the department, new barracks, presented in the estimates of the present in the present condition of that class of officers. This year, would be rendered unnecessary. The appropriation misfortune occurs, in part, from the bodily infirmities of a at the last session, for those at Philadelphia, was so exmajority of them; but so far as it springs, from the small- pressed, that the officers of the treasury did not feel auness of their number, and the inadequacy of their com-thorized to allow the expenditure. pensation, it is hoped that Congress will furnish a remedy. The condition of the navy pension and navy hospital It gives me much pleasure to observe that the occur- funds, they being under the charge of other officers in rence of courts martial is becoming less frequent; that connexion with the Secretary of the Navy, will be made your resolution to protect the oppressed, whether seamen the subject of a distinct report by the commissioners, with or officers, and at the same time to carry sentences into a view to great, and, in my opinion, very salutary changes full and final effect against those clearly convicted, and in their future management. The state of the privateer that the salutary alterations in punishments recommended pension fund the past year is disclosed in the annexed during the past year, are beginning to produce a benefi- report. (N.) cial influence. The large supply of lead in the hands of the Govern ment, as rents from the public mines, being three or four millions of pounds beyond what has been used by the War Department, and the great quantity needed in the navy being annually, for ten years past, about fifty thousand pounds, induce me to recommend that from those rents a quantity equal to our naval wants be yearly set apart, and placed at the disposal of this department. are detailed in the lists annexed. (0, No. 1 to 3.) Notwithstanding the high wages and great demand for scamen in merchant vessels, the naval service continues popular. No difficulty has been experienced in obtaining crews seasonably; indeed, the recruiting rendezvous were closed some months ago, and in the mean time, till more men were wanted, they made repeated applications for the rendezvous to be re-opened. Much care has been exerted to promote the welfare of our seamen. When- The deaths, dismissions, and resignations the past year, ever their terms of service expire abroad, they have, for some years, if not consenting to re-enlist, been sent home The general estimates for the ensuing year are presentat the public expense. But the latter course is attended ed in the document before referred to, and marked (C, by inconvenience and cost, arising mostly from short dif- No. 1 to 15.) In these an attempt has been made, in conferences in the periods of service in a large crew, and for formity to what is believed to be the true spirit of our inwhich the most effectual remedy would be found in Con- stitutions and the repeated wishes of Congress, to enable gress authorizing men to be enlisted not only for three the legislative authorities to render the appropriations years, but, if sailing to a foreign station within the first more specific, and to place the enumerated contingent fund year, then to extend three years from the time of sailing. in a condition to meet more nearly and promptly those Two orders are annexed, (M, 1 and 2,) which have been demands upon it so indispensable to the efficient operaissued during the past season, chiefly with a view to ame- tions of the navy. Although the whole expenses of the liorate the condition of this class of men. Besides these, last year may not equal the whole appropriations and ba other attentions, of late years, to comfort in their dress, lances on hand for the naval service, yet the enumerated to greater dryness and warmth in their apartments at sea, contingent, as in former years, has proved insufficient. to new securities against disease, and better accommo- The remedy hereafter suggested to supply all past defidations while sick, appear to have excited increased ciencies, is considered preferable to any former practice and permanent attachment on their part to that service in of resorting to other specific appropriations. which they have helped to cover their country with such In the mode of keeping accounts with persons respon durable glory. sible to this department, so great latitude was, at one time, Many useful changes in the naval code, as to the pun-indulged in the transfer of appropriations from one object ishment of offences, have before been urged; and, in ad- to another, that the disbursing officers stand charged with dition to them, the power to order courts in yards, and large and almost incredible sums under some heads, and vessels within the limits of the United States, in the same credited with almost equal sums under other heads; but way as on board public vessels at sea, would be a great which balances cannot be legally settled without the au thority of Congress. As this difficulty has generally ori The discontinuance of the marine corps, or its transfer ginated more from carelessness than dishonesty, and, entirely to either the army or the navy, has been the sub-though censurable in principle, has probably caused no ject of former recommendations from this department. essential injury to the public, it seems judicious to allow, In its present fluctuating condition, without any imputa- under the usual guards against imposition and loss, the tion on the character of the officers of the corps, frequent privilege of an adjustment to the persons interested. No difficulties in relation to pay, allowances, trials, and or- other course is perceived which will enable the accountders, are necessarily happening; and part of which pro- ing officers connected with this department ever to close convenience. Documents accompanying the President's Message. [22d CONG. 1st SESS. these transactions on their books, and to introduce, with gislation concerning its sale or preservation. Though an full effect, an accurate and improved system. These un-agent is still maintained at Liberia, the report from the settled balances now exceed seven millions of dollars. commander of the Java, before named, contains all the inAgain, by carrying the balances not expended from the telligence received from the establishment at that place contingent appropriations to the surplus fund, instead of during the year, except a letter announcing the loss by reserving them, as in the case of pay, provisions, &c. to piracy of a vessel in the employ of the colonists. From meet future claims, (and, in the necessities of the service the nature of the transaction, it may be questionable wheabroad, these claims cannot always be early received and ther any hostile designs are meditated against the comadjusted,) the demands on those contingent appropriations merce of the United States by those who committed that in some former years have not only exceeded their amount, outrage. But measures were immediately taken to obtain but cannot now be discharged from any surplus of other full information on the subject; and the earliest opportuyears. Nor should the deficiency be taken, as done at nity will be embraced to have that region of country again some prior periods, from different heads of appropriation, visited by one of our public vessels. without an express legal provision: nor can it be taken With a view to a more uniform and satisfactory adminisfrom any existing appropriation for arrearages, as none tration of both the naval and civil branches of this departhas been made the last few years. To settle these just ment, the rules and regulations published in A. D. 1818 demands, it will therefore be necessary to appropriate to have been carefully revised, and enlarged as to naval duthe object the balances of all former years carried to the ties; and the different orders, circulars, and decisions, surplus fund, or to make a new appropriation of about now in force in relation to the transaction of business be80,000 dollars. This latter course is the more definite, tween this department and the officers of the navy, with and seems due to all the claimants, and especially to the other useful rules of a civil character in relation to the meritorious officers of the navy. To obviate this difficulty service, have been collected, in some cases amended, and in future, it will only be necessary that the appropriations in all condensed. The whole of these will soon be subfor contingencies should assume the form of those for pay mitted for your approbation, and, if receiving it, will and subsistence, without any increase of their whole afterwards be laid before Congress. Their distribution amount; that these appropriations in other respects should and strict enforcement hereafter, will, it is hoped, contricorrespond with the estimates for the present year, by bute to system in business, harmony in the service, and throwing some of the enumerated items upon other and economy in the public disbursements. This last kind of specific heads, and thus lessening the gross nominal sum economy, and not a diminution in the gross amount of nafor contingencies over 100,000 dollars; and that due vigi-val expenditures, is all which probably may be expected lance be exercised in the department to confine the de- under the gradual increase of our navy, the great immands on these appropriations within the limits of the provements going forward in our docks and yards, the sums provided. There will probably be, on the 1st of wider range and exposure of our navigation, and the preJanuary next, an unexpended balance from all the appro- sent flourishing resources of the country, so well adapted priations of last year to the navy, of nearly twenty times to make due preparation in peace for the exigencies of this 80,000 dollars; but it may all be required when the future wars. whole accounts for the year are closed; and if not, as be- In this enviable state of the confederation, the estimates fore remarked, it would seem, on any correct principles for the navy have been in some degree conformed to what of legal construction and of administering specific appro- is supposed to be the wishes of the people in respect to priations, not to be applicable to these old arrearages, or so important an establishment; and without any augmento different heads from those particularized, without the special authority of Congress. (P.) If the system of making surveys of our coast by naval officers, at great exposure and toil, continues to meet public approbation, a specific appropriation to reward the extra services in that employment the last year, as well as any in future, to the amount of 2,000 dollars annually, will be necessary. It would conduce much to the convenience of officers in the navy, without incurring any great risk to the public, if this department were empowered to advance the allowance for travel and transportation when orders are given for duty within the United States-the authority to do it now being confined to the case of orders for service abroad. tation of officers not before sanctioned, and without the recommendation of any doubtful novelties in our expenditures, every thing has been attempted which promises to ensure, with frugality, promptitude, and vigor, the promotion of the great ends of naval protection and defence. With much respect, LEVI WOODBURY. REPORT OF THE POSTMASTER GENERAL. To the President of the United States: $1,997,811 54 Under an appropriation made at the last session, the The revenues of the department being the amount of naval monument has been removed from the navy yard, postages within the year commencing on the 1st of July, in this city, to a site west of the capitol. The expense 1830, and ending the 30th of June, 1831, were— has not exceeded the estimate, although, in addition to the repairs, about two hundred dollars' worth of labor, The expenditures of the department withnot included in the estimate, will be required fully to comin the same period, were pensate the contractor, if he proceeds to renew the in-Being, for compensation to scriptions, besides giving uniformity of color to the statues. But this, as the appropriation is already exhausted, must depend solely on the liberality of Congress. (Q.) The general appropriation for the suppression of the slave trade has had but small demands upon it, in addition to the special charges imposed by Congress in favor of Armstrong and of Livingston's heirs. For information in relation to the expenditures the past year, and to the property of the United States in Africa, acquired by former expenditures on this subject, a document is annexed. (R, 1 and 2.) This property may require some new le postmasters $635,028 48 1,252,226 44 48,304 44 For incidental expenses to - 1,935,559 36 62,252 18 563 51 Other improvements are also determined on, in which remote parts of the country are immediately interested; mail on the river Ohio, between Guyandotte, in Virginia, among them are, the establishment of a regular steamboat This surplus, reported as available, and at the disposal of the department, is founded on a statement in the report of the late Postmaster General, of 1828, and on the assumption that all the postages which have accrued since Cincinnati, in Ohio, and Louisville, in Kentucky, to form my first report, in 1829, will have been collected. Of the a daily connexion with the line of post coaches from this place; and from Richmond, in Virginia, to Guyandotte; postages returned within that time, it is confidently be-and the improvement of the route to a daily line between lieved the losses, in collection, will not amount to one- Macon, in Georgia, Mobile, in Alabama, and New Orleans, fourth of one per centum. so as to constitute a daily intercourse between New Orleans and the Atlantic cities, and with a despatch of twelve days between New Orleans and this city. The whole amount of postages from July - $1,707,418 42 $108,540 47 The increase of postages within the year ending July 1st, The increase of the year ending July 1st, The expenses of the department for the year These two improvements are already in a state of progress, and it is expected will soon be in complete opera tion. The contracts for transporting the mails in the middle division of the Union, comprising the States of New Jer sey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Ohio, and the Territory of Michigan, will end with the 143,164 68 present year. In renewing the contracts for this division, provision has been made for stage accommodation over 560 miles of post roads, on which the mail had before been carried on horseback, and on which the annual transpor 147,228 44 tation in stages will, from the 1st of January next, amount to 62,365 miles. On 1,803 miles of post roads, where the preceding mail is already carried in stages, the frequency of trips will also be increased to the annual amount of 407,524 miles. By these arrangements, an annual increase of stage transportation is secured, from the 1st of January next, of 469,889 miles on that section. The value of these improvements, at the lowest estimate, is as follows: 469,889 miles of stage transportation, at 9 cents per mile, $25,015 80 For the year preceding July 1st, 1829, 1st January, 1831, the expenditure ex- 13,223 73 62,252 18 The difference in which results constitutes Other improvements, highly important in their character, are proposed, the decisions on which have been deferred for further consideration. It is, however, anticipated, from the saving which has been effected in renewing the contracts, that the department will possess the ability to make some further improvements in this division of mail routes. There were, on the 1st of July last, 8,686 post offices. To the plan adopted for their supervision, and the vigi lance with which it is observed, together with the system of finance which is strictly adhered to, may be attributed, in no small degree, the increasing prosperity of the deI have the honor to be, with high regard, Your obedient servant, W. T. BARRY. 228,069 miles.partment. Annual Treasury Report. ANNUAL TREASURY REPORT. [22d CoNG. 1st SESS. In obedience to the directions of the "Act to establish the Treasury Department," the Secretary of the Treasury respectfully submits the following report: I. Of the Public Revenue and Expenditures. The receipts into the treasury, from all sources, during the year 1829, were, $24,827,627 38 The expenditures for the same year, including payments on account of the public debt, and including $9,033 38, for awards under the first article of the treaty of Ghent, were, $25,044,358 40 5,753,704 79 24,844,116 51 Leaving a balance in the treasury, on the 1st January, 1831, of The receipts into the treasury during the three first quarters of the present year 2,329,356 14 102,368 98 $3,237,416 04 6,752,688 66 - 3,239,428 63 11,355,748 22 30,599,821 30 24,585,281 55 217,739 95 And the indemnity under the Danish convention, The receipts for the fourth quarter are estimated at, (including indemnity under the Danish convention,) Making the total estimated receipts of the year, And with the balance on the 1st January, 1831, forming an aggregate of, The expenditures for the fourth quarter, including $6,205,810 21 on account of the public debt, are estimated, on data furnished by the respective departments, at, Making the total estimated expenditures of the year, And leaving in the treasury, on the 1st January, 1832, an estimated balance, including $439,475 13, on account of the indemnity under the Danish convention, of Which, however, includes the funds, estimated at $1,400,000, heretofore reported by this department as not effective. $3,047,751 37 The appropriations remaining unsatisfied at the close of the year are estimated at $4,139,823 13; but of this amount, it is estimated by the proper departments 1. That the sum of $3,423,525 87 only will be required for the objects for which they were appropriated. 2. That the sum of $501,102 78 will not be required, and may, therefore, be considered as an excess of appropriation, and is proposed to be applied, without being re-appropriated, in aid of the service of the year 1832, as will more fully appear when the estimates for the appropriations for that year are presented. 3. That the sum of $215,194 48 will be carried to the surplus fund, either because the objects for which it was appropriated are completed, or because these moneys will not be required for, or will be no longer applicable to them. VOL. VIII.-d |