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efficacy of the treaty, and serving only to remove doubts wherever they exist.

therefore, for the improvements of roads and inland navigation, having for its object the encouThe conferees of the senate therefore insisted ragement and extension of a commerce so beneon retaining the word "declared," in addition toficial, has strong claims to the attention and aid the usual formula of enactment, because it im- of a government, constituted to promote the geparts to the bill passed by the senate the charac-neral welfare. ter of a declaratory law; a quality without which any law would, in this case, be inadmissible.

A law that declares to be of no force or effect so much of all laws as are contrary to the provisions of the convention, recognizes the existence and authority of that convention; the date and limitations of which must ascertain the commencement and duration of the law, while its stipulations place the people of the two nations on a footing of commercial equality by the abolition of discriminating duties on both sides.

Thus the bill passed by the senate does not appear to be defective in the particulars referred to by the conferees of the house of representatives; nevertheless, as doubts were expressed on this subject, the conferees of the senate proposed certain amendments for the purpose of removing|| those doubts, and confirm the intentions and meaning of the bill.

The conferees of the senate, therefore, recommend to the senate, to insist on their disagreement to the amendments made to the bill by the house of representatives, and to agree to the following amendments to the bill, which have been mutually agreed to by the conferees of the two houses:

Line 2d, after the word "act," strike out the words "or acts as are," and Insert these words, "as imposes a higher duty of tonnage or of impost on vessels and articles imported in vessels of || Great Britain than on vessels and articles in vessels of the U. States."

Line 4. Strike out the word "shall," and after the word "be," insert these words, "from and after the date of the ratification of the said convention, and during the continuance thereof." The report was concurred in by the senate, as already stated.

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Such improvements, executed on an extensive scale, would unquestionably contribute to the general interest, and increase of wealth in the na tion-for whatever tends to accelerate the progress of industry, in its various and particular branches, or to remove the obstacles to its full exertion, must in the result, produce that effect. The contemplated improvement in roads and camercial and personal intercourse, to the interior nals, by extending the communication for common benefits, and give an enlarged faculty to the and distant parts of the union, would bestow comgreat branches of national industry, whether agricultural, commercial or manufacturing..

The agricultural products, which at present from inconvenient distance, their weight, or bulk, are unportable, could then be carried to a distant market; the reduction on the charge for price, and a ready market, and increased price, enhance the value of the lands, from which the products were drawn.

thereby receive a proportional advantage from the The general commerce of the country would increase of the quantity of articles for exportation, the facility and extension to the vending of imported commodities, as also from a more general consumption, arising from an increased ability in the community to purchase such commodities. transportation of a raw material and wrought comTo manufacturers, a reduction on the charge for modity, would be highly beneficial. The beneneral wealth in society, arising from a system of ficial effects on individual interests, and the gecheap conveyance, by artificial roads and canals, does not rest on speculative opinion, or abstract advantages, have been removed by the test of exreasonings for confirmation; all doubts, as to the perience in every country where such improvements have been executed on a libera! scale.

To insure to the pursuits of useful industry in a nation, a state of the greatest prosperity, it is only necessary to protect their interests from foreign aggression, to leave them unrestrained by artifinatural obstacles to their exertion, by public works cial provisions, and to remove, or meliorate, the rendering conveyance practicable and cheap.

Such public works, while they are calculated to subserve the pecuniary interests of every industrious class of the community, are highly im

That a view of the extent of territory, the number and magnitude of navigable lakes, rivers and bays; the variety of climate, and consequent di-portant in a political point of view. The citizens, versity of productions embraced by the United close connection by a facility to commercial and in the most remote parts, would be brought into States, cannot fail to impose the conviction, that a capacity exists in this country to maintain an ex- Personal intercourse. The common interests and tensive internal commerce. The variety of identity of feelings thence arising, would as a ceductions peculiar to the several parts, invites to proment to the parts, bind together the whole with the prosecution of a commerce of the most inte. the strong bond of intererest and affection, giving resting kind. A commerce internal, subject solely stability and perpetuity to the union. And as a to the regulations of the country, not dependent for resistance to foreign aggression, by rendering means of security, tend to increase our capacity on, or materially affected by the vicissitudes of less expensive and more effective, our military foreign competition, or collisions; the profits on which will rest in the country, and make an ad- operations. The disadvantages experienced, and dition to the wealth of the nation. Such a comheavy charges incurred, during the late war, for merce will, in its natural tendency, create inte- want of inland navigation along the sea coast, conreets and feelings, consonant with the great inte- necting the great points of defence, are of too rerests of the community. Any practicable scheme, other demonstration that a facility in inland comcent date, and decisive a character, to require any

VOL. I.]

munication, constitutes a principal means of national defence.

It is believed that improvements so important to the political and general interests of society, stand strongly recommended to the attention of the national legislature. The general government alone, possess the means and resources to give a direction to works calculated for general advantage, and to insure their complete execution.

The particular objects of this kind, to which the public aid should be given, the means to be employed, and the mode of applying the public monies, remains to be considered.

89

the subject, they respectfully recommend to the
consideration of congress," The Chesapeake and
Delaware Canal," being in their opinion of the
first importance, and requiring the aid of the ge-
neral government. It forms the central link in
that great chain of inland navigation along the sea
coast, proposed to be opened. It is believed, from
the best evidence, to be practicable of execution,
and of itself, unconnected with other improve-
ments, will afford the most extensive advantages.
On this the committee will make a special report.

Of the different modes which might be devised of applying public monies to objects of internal The objects are, such artificial roads and canals improvements, that of authorizing subscriptions as are practicable of execution, and which promise for a limited number of shares of the stock of coma general or extensive advantage to the communi-panies incorporated for the purpose, appears, on ty; others, of minor importance, that are local in every consideration, to be the most eligible. their nature, and will produce only local benefits, By limiting the number of shares to be subscribwill more properly be left for execution, to the ed, to a third, or less than one half, of the whole means and enterprize of individuals, or to the ex-stock, there is more security that the government ertions of particular states. It is, indeed a politi-shall not become engaged in impracticable procal maxim, well attested by experience, that jects for improvements, and also for the econowherever private interests are competent to the mical expenditure of the funds, than would be, on the plan of a direct application by goverment, provision and application of their own instruments and means, such provision and means should be of the public monies. left to themselves.

The committee, in order to ascertain what funds The great works which are calculated for na- may be made applicaple to the objects of internal tional advantage, either in a military or commer-improvement, with due regard to the state of the cial view, their execution most depend (at least finances, and demands on the treasury, requested for aid) on the general government. Wherever information from the treasury department. The great obstacles are to be overcome, great power information obtained, accompanies this report. It and means must be employed. To such works the will be observed that the surplus revenue applicameans of associated in dividuals are incompetent ||ble to these objects, is hypothetically stated in the and the particular states may not have a sufficient secretary's letter, as necessarily it must be, in the present state of the revenue laws. interest in the execution of works of the most essential advantage to the other parts of the community. In other cases, where interest might be sufficiently operative, the means or the power, may not be possessed, their territorial jurisdiction being limited short of the whole extent of the work.

Among many other objects of improvement in inland navigation and roads, coming within the above description, the following appears to be recommended by their importance to the attention of congress: Ist. Canals opening an inland navigation along the Atlantic sea-coast. 2d. A grate turnpike road from north to south. 3d. Turnpike roads forming communications between the At- || lantic and western rives. 4th. Military roads communicating with the frontier posts; and, 5th. A canal around the falls of Ohio, or opening the bed of the river at that place.

It appears, however, under any contemplated change in the existing system, that the revenue would be sufficient to supply, after the present year, and during a state of peace, an annual appropriation of 600,000 dollars for the purpose of internal improvement. That sum would constitute a fund capable of effecting many valuable objects of that kind; and, under prosperous circumstances, the fund might be gradually augmented in the proportion of the decrease of the public debt. But, if it shall enter into the policy of government to authorize expenditures in the execution of the works calculated for public advantage and general convenience, the same policy will direct to the provision of the means. For it cannot be doubted that the resources of the nation are amply sufficient, when brought in aid of private means, to effect every object of improvement on roads and canals, that are of an extensive nature, and of national concern.

The present state of the national finances, and the effect which engaging in many expensive The committee respectfully propose that an anworks at the same time, would produce, in raising the price of labor, seems to point out the po-nual appropriation be made to constitute a fund licy of applying the public means to one, or only for making roads and opening canals; that the fund shall be put under the direction of the sea few of these objects, in the first instance. The difficulty and delicacy of selecting a parti-cretary of the treasury, who shall, whenever aucular object from among many others of acknow-thorized by congress, subscribe for shares in the ledged importance and great interest, is sensibly stock of companies incorporated for making artiIn making the decision, general interests ficial roads or opening canals; and shall pay out must be kept in view, and be held superior to lo- of the aforesaid fund the instalments as they becal considerations. It appears proper that when come due on such shares: and that any dividend the government authorize the expenditure and ap- thence arising, when any work shall be completplication of public monies, to one of these objectsed, shall be paid into, and become a part of said they should at the same time adopt a system, calculated to insure, in due time, the execution of other works, requiring their aid.

felt.

After due consideration, and that examination which the committee have been able to give to

fund, and the secretary shall report, at each ses sion, to congress, all expenditures, and the general state of the fund, as well as the state of the works in which the government are concerned.

The committee have directed a bill to be report. || obedience to a resolution of the house of represened embracing the above provisions. tatives of 7th February, 1816, passed on motion of Mr Jewitt.

Treasury Department, Jan. 20th, 1816. SIR-In your letter of 27th ultimo, information is requested upon the two following points: 1st. In case the revenue laws should be modified according to the plan proposed by the secretary of the treasury, whether the surplus revenue arising from permanent sources would authorize a standing appropriation of monies, annually applicable to the construction of roads and canals, and to what amount. 2. In case the creation of stock should be authorized, redeemable at a future period, to be employed in the purchase of shares in companies formed for making roads and opening canals, what particular branches of the existing revenue would be most proper to charge; and to what amount, with the redemption of such stock. In answer to the first enquiry, I have the honor to state, that if the revenue were permanently established upon the footing proposed in the report from this department of the 6th of December last, and if the public expenditures should not exceed the annual surplus of revenue, which might be estimated, during the continuance of the peace, at about four millions of dollars. Whether the facts assumed by which this result is produced, will actually exist, can only be ascertained when the intentions of congress upon these points shall have been developed. As to the second enquiry, it may be observed, that there are no branches of the existing revenue which are not already pledged, either especially, or in a general manner, for expenditures already authorized, excepting certain duties which will expire on the 17th February next-and which, if continued by congress after that time, will probably be substituted in lieu of other duties which are now pledged, and which will be diminished or entirely abolished. If stock should be issued under any modifications, for the purposes of internal improvements, there is therefore no branch of the revenue which could be exclusively charged with its redemption, without, violating prior appropriations and pledges. But as the aggregate mass of the revenue is estimated, after the year 1816, to exceed the aggregate amount of the charges upon it, this surplus, if congress should think proper, might be applied either directly to the defraying of the expenses of internal improvements, or if stock should be issued, as a fund for its redemption. No necessity is perceived for issuing stock for this purpose, unless it shall be determined to commence the expenditures before the termination of the present year; during which year there will be no surplus of revenue. After its expiration, when there shall be a surplus, there can be no reason for constituting stock, or, in other words, for borrowing money. The money in hand derived from the surplus revenue, can be applied directly to the purpose proposed. I have the honor to be, &c.

A J. DALLAS.

CITY OF WASHINGTON.

Extract of a letter from the superintendent of the city of Washington, to the president of the United States, transmitting a general account of receipts and expenditures in the city of Washington, " under the authority of the United States," prepared in

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Aggregate amount of expenditures from 1790 to 1816, including the whole cost of the public buildings, as they stood on the 24th August, 1814, the day the same were destroyed by the British; surveying the city and territory; payment for grounds reserved for the use of the states, and all other expenses whatever, incurred under the direction of the board of commissioners, abolished in 1802, and of their successor in office, the superintendent of the city, $1,746,014 46 Which was received from the following sources,

viz.

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1,746,014 46 The same resolution also requires an estimate "of the probable value of the pubilc property remaining on hand." This property consists of, 1st. 5,200 standard lots of 5,265

square feet each, which estimated at 180 dollars, the average price of the lots heretofore sold, would amount to

2dly. 541a. 1r. 29p. of ground in the city of Washington, reserved for the use of the United States, estimated at the same price of the building lots, though generally much more valuable, would amount to about

3dly. Lands and free-stone quarries in Virginia, wharves and water lots in the city of Washington, and debts due for property heretofore sold, estimated at

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$936,000

740,000

48,000

1,724,000

1,323,479 83

.3,047,479 83

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REPORT.-The secretary of the treasury respectfully reports to the commissioners of the sinking fund,

That the balence of monies advanced on account of the public debt, remaining unexpended at the end of the year 1813, and applicable to payments falling due after that year, which balance, as appears by the statement B. annexed to the last annual report, amounted to

$761,205 75

Together with the sums disbursed from the treasury, during the year 1814, on account of the principal and interest of the public debt, which sums, as appears by the statement C. annexed to the last annual report, amounted to

2,076,535 75 It will appear, that, before the public buildings were destroyed, the objects were required by the before recited law establishing the permanent seat of government had been effected, not only without probable ultimate cost to the United States, but that government had derived a property, probably worth upwards of two millions of dollars, from the donations of the states of Virginia and Maryland, and those made by the original proprietors of the city; or in another view of the subject it seems Together with the further sum arisprobable that those donations will prove sufficient ing from profit in exchange on remitto defray the expense of accomplishing the before tances from America to Europe, durmentioned objects of the permanent establishmenting the year 1814, amounting as aphere, and of reimbursing all the before stated ad- pears by statement D. annexed to the vances from the United States treasury, leaving a last annual report, to sum of upwards of two hundred thousand dollars for other purposes.

THE SINKING FUND.

Report of the commissioners of the sinking fund, showing the measures which have been authorized by the board subsequent to their last report, of the 6th of February, 1815, so far as the same have been completed.

The commissioners of the sinking fund respectfully report to congress as follows:

That the measures which have been authorized by the board subsequent to the last report of the 6th of February, 1815, so far as the same have been completed, are fully detailed in the report of the secretary of the treasury to this board, dated the sixth day of the present month, and in the statements therein referred to, which are herewith transmitted and prayed to be received as part of this report.

JOHN GAILLARD,

And amounting to

8,386,880 59

19,827 61

$9,167,913 95

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President of the senate pro tempore.vidends on the public

J. MARSHALL,

debt, not demanded or
applied for by the pro-

Chief-justice of the United States.prietors, as per the an

JAMES MONROE,
Secretary of State.
A. J. DALLAS,

Secretary of the treasury.

WASHINGTON, February 7th, 1816,

nexed statement B,

4,283,692 34

4,656,381 74

8,940,074 08

286,336 65

58,496 78

-8,881,577 30

$9,167,913 95

That during the year 1815, the following disbursements were made out of the treasury, on account of the principal and interest of the public debt, viz.

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

On account of the interest and reimbursement of the funded domestic debt,

On account of the principal and interest of the registered debt,

On account of the principal and interest of temporary loans, viz. Reimbursement of prin

[No. 6.

6,373,847 73

6 49

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cipal

1,800,000

Payment of interest,

69,230 07

-1,869,230 07

On account of principal and inte

3,872,708 95

rest of treasury notes,

On account of the interest on the

And to the payment of

the interest on the same 5,606,965 02

$12,640,981 50

As will appear by the annexed estimate F.

And there is estimated to have been left unsupplied at the end of the year

Louisiana stock, payable in Europe, 724,136 11 1815, as per annexed estimate G, and

Amounting together, as will appear by the annexed list of warrants, marked C, to the sum of

$12,839,929 35

Which disbursements were made out of the following funds, viz.

1. From the balance of the annual appropriation of eight millions of dollars for the year 1814, remaining unexpended at the end of that year, which balance amounted, as stated in the last annual report, to

II. From the funds constituting the annual appropriation of eight millions of dollars for the year 1815, viz.

From the fund arising from the interest on the debt transfered to the commissioners of the sinking fund, as per statement I, 1,969,577 64

From the fund arising

from the nett proceeds of

the sales of public lands,1,200,000

From the proceeds of duties on goods, wares, and merchandise, imported, and on the tonage of vessels,

4,830,422 36

III. From the proceeds of the duties on goods wares, and merchandise imported, and on the tonage of vessels, and from the proceeds of the direct tax and internal duties, in advance; and on account of the annual appropriation of eight millions of dollars for the year 1816,

341,710 17

-8,000,000 00

4,498,219 18

That the aforesaid sum of twelve millions, eight $12,839,929 35 hundred and thirty-nine thousand, nine hundred and twenty-nine dollars and thirty-five cents will be accounted for in the next annual report, in conformity with the accounts which shall then have been rendered to this department.

That in the mean time, the manner in which the said sum has been applied is estimated as follows, viz:

There is estimated to have been applied to the payment of the deficiency of the provision at the end of the year 1814, as above stated, the sum of.

There was paid for loss in exchange on remittances from America to Europe, during the year 1815, as exhibited in the annexed statements marked D, the sum of

58,496 78

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That all the temporary loans which became
payable during the year 1815, were paid; but the
two instalments amounting to 500,000 dollars
which became payable at the state bank, Boston,
in the month of December, 1814, and which were
not then paid, still remain unpaid from the inabi-
lity of the the treasury, to apply the monics, with-
in its control to that object, owing to the disor-
dered state of the public currency.

That during the year 1815, and on the 1st day
of January, 1816, treasury notes charged upon the
sinking fund, fell due amounting to 7,847,280 dol-
lars. It was not within the power of the treasury
to make provision for the payment of any part of
these notes, or of those which had fallen due and
had not been paid in the preceding year, (with
the exception of such as were applied by their
holders to the payment of duties and taxes,) until
the 1st of July, 1815; when provision was made
and public notice thereof given, for the reimburse-
ment of such treasury notes as had, previously to
that time, became payable at Baltimore and Wash-
ington. The same provision was made on the 1st
of August, for those previously payable at Phila-
delphia; on the 1st of September, for those
viously payable at Savannah; and on the days when
pre-
they respectively bacame payable, for those reim-
burseable at all other places, with the exception of
New-York and Boston, at neither of which places
have funds yet been obtained, to an extent suffi-
cient to meet the payments of the treasury notes
reimburseable at those two places respectively.
when, and the places at which all the treasury
The annexed statement marked L, shows the time,
notes reimburseable in the year, 1815, and on the
1st day of January, 1816, became payable.

hibits the whole amount of stock transferred to
A statement marked H, is annexed which ex-
ing to their credit in the books of the treasury
the commissioners of the sinking fund, and stand-
on the last day of December, 1815. All which is,
respectfully submitted.

A. J. DALLAS, secretary of the treasury.
Treasury Department, Feb. 6, 1816.

[Here follow the various details, all which are
sufficiently explained for general purposes, except
the account of stocks transferred, &c. of which the
53,038 17 || statement follows-ED.]

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