the British possess--may be justly considered as giving to that power.the military command of Lake Ontario. Although the Welland canal will not facilitate the passing of armed steamers from Lake Ontario, yet every species of supply of other kinds which Lake Ontario or the St. Lawrence can furnish, can be sent by that canal to the upper lakes; and under this aspect it can be viewed as an extremely important auxiliary to British military operations on the upper lakes. LAKE CHAMPLAIN. The connexions between this lake and the St. Lawrence can be viewed merely as facilities for the transportation of men and supplies; yet, however; completely controlled on their entrance into the lake by the American fortifications at Rouse's point. This lake can be considered as exclusively an American lake. A small portion only of the entrance north of Rouse's point, and a small portion only of the shoal Mississquoi bay, forming part of the frontier of Canada. Its tonnage is chiefly American, and the command of the lake can be viewed as American only. And, unless the command at Rouse's point be lost, no other power than the American can be considered as possessing any facilities for military operations on this lake. The total American lake tonnage is. Making a combined tonnage of 106,836 tons. 46,575 153,411 tons. J. J. ABERT, Respectfully, sir, your obedient servant, Colonel Corps Topographical Engineers. Hon. W. L. MARCY, Ex. Doc. No. 20. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. CONTINGENT EXPENSES-WAR DEPARTMENT. A LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF WAR, TRANSMITTING A statement of the expenditures of the contingent fund of the War Department, and its bureaus and offices, during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1847. JANUARY 12, 1848. Read, and referred to the Committee on Public Expenditures. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 10, 1848. SIR: I have the honor to submit, herewith, statements of the expenditures from the contingent funds of this department, and its bureaus and offices, during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1847, prepared in compliance with the 20th section of an act approved August 26, 1842. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. R. C. WINTHROP, Speaker of the House of Representatives. Statement of expenditures from the appropriation for contingent expenses of the office of the Secretary of War during the year ending June 30, 1847; prepared in conformity with the 20th section of the act approved August 26, 1842. 1 ream letter paper $0.75 1 25 2.50 4.00 2.86 1 60 90 25 33 21 2.50 63 50 67 80 6 1 00 50 2 75 4.00 3 00 1.00 2.00 1.00 12 00 32 00 Dec. 28 J. N. Berry 1 ream laid paper.. 18 dozen cards pens 2 dozen Windle's bullion pens 12 dozen cards assorted pens 2 pounds wafers 2,000 large envelopes 8 reams 4to post paper 2 reams note paper.. 14 pound fancy wax.. 4 letter clips. 5 gross Gillott's pens. ream Bath paper, English 2 letter clips. 1 gold pen and pencil.. 1 fountain inkstand. 200 envelopes. 1 dozen carmine ink 1 pen and pencil case.. ream envelope paper |