On application to the War Department, it was found that all the Officers of that Corps were so engaged, as to prevent the Secretary from detailing even one for this service. It is hoped, however, that such information has, in the mean time been procured, respecting the places named, except St. Mary's, as will accomplish the purpose for which the Law was passed, should Congress act upon the subject at this Session. Should it be proposed, however, to fix upon a site for a Naval Depôt in the Gulf of Mexico, I would respectfully suggest the propriety of entrusting the selection and purchase to the Department, after further and satisfactory surveys shall have been made. Commodore Stewart, in the Franklin, arrived at New York in the month of August, having left Commodore Hull, with the Frigate United States, the Sloop of War Peacock, and the Schooner Dolphin, in the Pacific. It is hoped that this Force will be able to prevent depredations on our important Commerce in that sea, and secure respect for our Flag. Our Commerce, however, has increased so rapidly there, and is scattered over so large a space, that an addition of one or more vessels would be made, if they were within the control of the Department. This addition will become indispensable, should the Government be disposed to make permanent provision for the protection of our Commerce, and other interests in the neighbourhood of Colombia river, and on the North-west coast. Constant experience shows the importance of such augmentation of the number of our vessels, as will enable the Government to add to the Force both in the Atlantic and Pacific. Inconveniences are felt, and losses are sustained, by our Citizens in both Oceans, which might be prevented, were the means for their protection enlarged. In the course of the year, several regulations have been adopted to promote efficiency and economy in the Medical and other Departments of the Service, and some good is anticipated from them. It is impossible, however, to do all which is desired, without the aid of Congress. Several laws seem necessary to render the establishment economical and efficient. Among them are those which were under consideration at the last session, for building 10 Sloops of War and reorganizing the Navy. To these ought to be added a revision of the law for the better government of the Navy and the system of Courts Martial. But especially some provision should be made for the Education and Instruction of the younger Officers. We have now the light of experience on this point in the Army, and its salutary effects are very manifest. Instruction is not less necessary to the Navy than to the Army. I refer to the views taken of some of these subjects in the Reports made during the last Session, and it will be my duty to develope them more fully in answer to a Resolution of the Senate now before me. The expenditures of the year are submitted in a Report from the Second Comptroller, marked F, and the Estimates for the next year in one from the Commissioners of the Navy, marked G. In the latter it will be found that Estimates have been made of the expense of certain necessary improvements at Thompson's Island, and for the repairs of four of our Frigates, which policy and economy require to be placed in such a situation, that their services can be commanded whenever they shall be necessary. We have, at present, no Frigate which could be sent to sea, without large repairs, creating a delay which, under certain circumstances, might be injurious to the Public Interest. The general Estimate comprehends the several heads of Expenditure in the form supposed to be best fitted for keeping the accounts, with plainness and accuracy, most easily explained, best adapted to a rigid investigation of the Expenses of the Naval Service, and as far as practicable, conformed to the views of the House of Representatives at the last Session, as understood at the Department. It is accompanied by explanatory statements of the several items, in great detail, exhibiting the propriety of the Estimate, and the necessity of the appropriation. The Estimates for the Marine Corps, with the explanatory Statements, are added and marked H. I have, &c. To The President of the United States. SAMUEL L, SOUTHARD. A. VESSELS of The United States Navy in Commission.—1825 REPORT from the Secretary of the Treasury, on the state SIR, of the Finances of The United States. Treasury Department, December 31, 1824. I HAVE the honour to transmit a Report, prepared in obedience to the "Act supplementary to the Act to establish the Treasury Department." I have the honour, &c. WM. H. CRAWFORD. The Hon. the Speaker, House of Representatives. REPORT. IN obedience to the directions of the "Act supplementary to the Act to establish the Treasury Department," the Secretary of the Treasury respectfully submits the following Report: 1. Of the Public Revenue and Expenditure for the years 1823 and 1824. The nett revenue which accrued from duties on imports and tonnage, during the year 1823, amounted (see statement A.) to........ .....Dollars 17,008,570 80 The actual receipts into the Treasury during the year 1823, Arrears of internal duties and direct taxes, and incidental receipts (E.)....... 131,951 69 Repayments of advances made in the War Department, for services or supplies, prior to 1st July, 1816...... 53,758 03 Making, with the balance in the Treasury, on the 1st January 1823, of........... An aggregate of............... The actual expenditures during the year 1823, amounted to (F.) ..................................... ... 15,314,171 Viz: Civil, diplomatic, and miscellaneous 2,022,093 99 Military service, including fortifications, ordnance, Indian Department, revolutionary and military pensions, arming the militia, and arrearages, prior to 1st January, 1817 Naval service, including the gradual increase of the navy...... Public debt..... 5,258,294 77 2,503,765 83 ... 5,530,016 41 Leaving a balance in the Treasury on the 1st January, 1824, of............ ........Dollars 9,463,922 81 The actual receipts into the Treasury during the three first quar ters of the year 1824, are estimated to have amounted to Dollars 19,630,893 96 Viz: Customs......................................... 13,372,268 80 Public lands (statement G.) 768,805 10 Bank of The United States 350,000 Arrears of internal duties and direct taxes, and incidental receipts, (H.) 97,321 37 Repayments of advances made in the War Department, for services, or supplies, prior to 1st July, 1816,......................................... 42,498 69 Loan under Act of May 24, 1824, for paying the awards under the Florida Treaty... 5,000,000 And the actual receipts into the Treasury, during the fourth quarter of the year, including the moiety of the loan of 5,000,000, authorized by the Act of the 26th of May, 1824, for paying the 6 per cent. stock of 1812, are estimated at...... 7,350,00 Making the total estimated receipts into the Treasury, during the year 1824,............. 26,980,893 96 And, with the balance in the Treasury on the 1st of January, 1824, forming an aggregate of ......... The expenditures during the three first quarters of the year 1824 are estimated to have amounted to (statement I.).......... Viz: Civil, diplomatic, ... 36,444,816 77 ..... 21,563,702 73 and miscellaneous.......... 1,792,456 Military service, including fortifications, ordnance, Indian Department, revolutionary and military pensions, arming the militia, and arrearages prior to 1st January, And the expenditures during the 4th quarter, are estimated at Dollars 10,374,445 13 Military service, including fortifications, ordnance, Indian Department, revolutionary and military pensions, arming the militia, and arrearages prior to 1st January, Naval service, including the gradual increase of the navy.......... 734,343 82 Public debt............... 8,293,884 85 Making the total estimated expenditure of the year 1824,... 31,938,147 86 And, leaving in the Treasury, on the 1st of January, 1825, an estimated balance of.......... ....Dollars 4,506,668 91 It is to be observed, however, that this balance is not to be considered as subject to appropriation, as there is about an equal amount of unsatisfied appropriations, which, though not called for in the year 1824, are necessary for the objects for which they were severally made, and which are, therefore, an existing charge upon the means of the Treasury. 2. Of the Public Debt. The funded debt which was contracted before the year 1812, and which was unredeemed on the 1st of October, 1823, amounted (Statement No. 1.) to........................................ ........Dollars 16,597,318 58 And that which was contracted subsequently to the 1st of Jan. 1812, and was unredeemed on the 1st of Oct. 1823, amounted (No. 2.) to........ Making the total amount of funded debt, unredeemed on the 1st of Oct. 1823,............. In the fourth quarter of that year, there was added in Treasury Note 6 per cent. stock...... 73,854,545 45 90,451,864 03 716 75 .................... 90,452,580 78 Making an aggregate of............... And there was paid, in the reimbursement of deferred 6 per cent. stock Reducing the funded debt on the 1st Jan. 1824, (Statement No. 2.) to.............. .... 274,565 88 90,178,014 90 From that day to the 1st of Oct. last, there was added in 4 per cent. stock, under the Act of May 26, 1824. .... ................................ 5,000,000 Making an aggregate of........................ Dollars95,178,014 90 |