factures, which while they enrich the individual, quent, his executors or administrators, for hearing, will promote the general interest and secure the real investigation and decision their decree from its independence of our country. date to have the effect of a lien, and to be final un A public treasury shewing on the 1st day of No-1 ss app aled from within a given time, and carried vember last, an unexpended balance of $193,709,72, before a competent tribunal at the seat of governafter having paid the ordinary as well as extraordi-ment. This or any other mode which in a reasonanary expenses of the government since the 1st day ble time, and with moderate expenses, would enof Dec. 111, presents the mean through which may force the payment of the gnies thus due to the be attained every thing calculated to promote the sc-state, would annually save the commonwealth very curity, happiness and best interests of our constita-considerable sums. ents. That our funds are adequate to any probable The constitutional provision which directs, that future expenses of the government, an exhibition to "right and justice shall be administered without the legislature of the financial accounts, will shew. sale, denial or delay," it must be admitted, is renThose items in the account growing out of, or in any dered by the accused, in many cases of personal way connected with the war, will it is believed, fur-wrong, inoperative. The offender bound with surety nish an item of charge against the United States, for for his appearance defaults-the consequence is a it is fairly to be presumed, that Pennsylvania, ever forfeiture of recognizance. If exacted, the comzealous in support of the nation's rights, will not be monwealth is benefited by results growing out of a burthened with more of those expenses than her just violation of her laws, but the party really injured proportion. retires totally disappointed, and the judicial officer The laws for the sale of unseated lands for taxes, and witnesses are deprived or their lawful dues.ought to be so amended as that the commissioners Justice and equity would seem to require that powor some other county officer, may purchase for the fer should be vested in the executive, on the recomuse of the proper county, every such tract of land mendation of the proper tribunal, to order in such offered for sale as shall not have bidden for it a sum cases of hardship, that a portion or the whole of the equal to the taxes and cost due, reserving to the morey forfeited be applied in remunerating the inowner as whose estate it was sold, the right of re-jured party, and for the payment of costs. demption for a given period. The salutary results A copy of the resolution of the legislature of from the extension of the powers of justices of the March last, requesting the attorney-general to won peace, for the recovery of debts and damages, war-solidate the penal laws into one act, was transmed rant the opinion that under proper regulations, the to that officer on the 11th April last-his report, powers of those officers might be safely extended. when received, will be immediately laid before you. Horse racing and its attendant gambling are growing Other duties incumbent on the executive, I trust, evils-the penalty consequent to the latter vice is too have been punctually performed. trifling to deter: the former practice in the opinion Although "it has pleased the ruler of the uniof many can only be prevented by the forfeiture of verse in the course of his wise providence to visit us the animal designated for this cruel sport, with the calamities of war," it becomes us, with A very considerable portion of the time of the last sentiments of unfeigned gratitude to acknowledge legislature having been occupied in the discussion his goodness, for he has mingled with his chastiseof applications for the establishment of new banks, ments very many blessings. Our cities, farms, vil as those applications are likely to be renewed, I have lages and country, have been blessed with general thought it my duty to ascertain and submit to you a health; the labor of the husbandman has been crownfew facts, which have a direct bearing on this inte-ed with abundance; the success of our merchants resting subject. Since the adjournment of the le-has exceeded our reasonable expectations; may gislature, the incorporated banks of the city of Phi-these dispensations lead us to a reformation of our ladelphia have subscribed a million of dollars to the morals as a nation, and as individuals. United States loan. The whole amount of the sub- In the performance of every duty resulting from scription in the city of Philadelphia has been two the constitution and the laws, I promise a faithful millions three hundred and ninety-nine thousand co-operation. SIMON SNYDER. three hundred dollars: an evidence of no mean kind of wealth and patriotism, and of the abundant capital of the state. Besides the sums thus loaned, the incorporated banks have taken a million of dollars of treasury notes, which give less than bank interest. The branch bank in this borough, has for months past had a sum of $100,000 unemployed. The bank commonly called the 6,000,000 bank,which was last spring incorporated by the state of NewYork, has, I am assured, never been able to get half its capital subscribed, and certainly has not been able to go into operation. Harrisburg, 3d December, 1812. Import of British Goods. Documents referred to in the report of the committee of ways and means on the subject of late importations of British manufactures. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Nov. 18, 1812. SIR-I have the honor, in compliance with the request of the committee of ways and means, to submit the following statement of facts so far as they have The remedy afforded the commonwealth by exist-come to my knowledge, in relation to the late impor ing laws for the recovery, from delinquent officers,tations of British manufactures. of public monies by them withheld, and of recover- By the act of the 2nd March, 1811, it was enacted ing from delinquent contractors for making roads that certain provisions of the act "to interdict the and for improving the navigation of rivers, monics commercial intercourse between the United States by them received but never faithfully applied, is and Great Britain and France and their dependenfound to be almost totally inefficient. Few of the cics, and for other purposes," should (until the premany suis, some of them commenced more than 10 sident's proclamation authorised, by the act, should years since, have been terminated by a course of law; have been issued) have full force and be immed the catses are too obvious to need specification. Iately carried into effect against Great Britain, her will suggest that the interest of the commonwealth colonies and dependencies. The provisions thus rewould be promoted by vesting the accounting officers enacted forbade, under penalty or forfeiting the vessel with powers to compel the „ttendance before them at and cargo, to import into the United States, or tó The seat of government, any and every such delin-iput on board any vessel in a foreign port with intent thus to import any merchandize of British growth or ception was made with respect to vessels captured manufacture from whatever port imported, and any and sent in by American privateers, because, if American property, their right to make prizes was by merchandize whatever from a British port. It was further enacted by the same act (of March law confined to enemy's property, and whether Ame2nd, 1811) that in case Great Britain should so re-rican or enemy's, the forfeiture to the United States voke or modify her edicts as that they should cease had been incurred from the date of the shipment, to violate the neutral commerce of the United States, and could not be superceded by a subsequent capthe president of the United States should declare the ture. Instructions to prevent any interference in that fict by proclamation, that such proclamation should respect by either public or private armed vessels be admitted as evidence, and that no other evidence were also issued by the president; such interference should be admitted of such revocation or modifica- being considered wholly unnece sary, since the ves tion in any suit or prosecution for the recovery of scis from England were of their own accord coming the forfeitures abovementioned; and that the restric-into the ports of the United States. It appears, how tions above stated should, from the date of such pro- ever, that in some cases that the owners of priva teers that have made captures of that description inclamation, cease and be discontinued. By the act of congress of the 18th June, 1812, war tend to contest the prior claim to forfeiture of the was declared between the United States and Great United States, and that, in those cases, the ques tions must be decided by the courts. Britain. Previous to the time when those importations took On the 23d of the same month, an order of council was issued by the British government, purport-place, it being understood that the judges of some ing to be a revocation of the edicts of that govern-of the district courts had restored to the claimants ment which violated the neutral commerce of the prohibited merchandize under seizure, on their giv United States, subject, however, to certain condi-ing bond for the appraised value thereof, the district attornies were on the 15th day of May, 1812, instructtions specified in the said order. Immediately after the promulgation of that order, ed by the comptroller to oppose every motion to British merchandize was laden on board the Ameri- that effect for the reasons stated in his letter. It ap can vessels then in the harbors of Great Britain, pearing afterwards that the judges of some of the with intent to import the same into the United most commercial districts, had, notwithstanding States. It has been stated, and it is believed, that that opposition on the part of the United States, conby far the greater part of those shipments were made tinued to order the restoration of British merchanin conformity with previous orders from merchants dize; no appeal being practicable, since the orders in America to their correspondents in England, by were immediately executed, and the commercial inwhich these had been instructed to make such terests of those disrricts where the restoration was shipments whenever a revocation of the former Bri- refused being deeply affected by the want of unifor tish orders in council should take place; it having mity in the decisions, the comptroller did, on the been presumed by the American merchants, that 5th day of October last, authorise the district attor such a revocation would, by virtue of the above nies to withdraw their opposition in all cases of bona mentioned act of congress of 2nd March, 1811, pro-fide American property. Copies of Ins two circulars duce a discontinuance of the prohibitions to import on that subject are enclosed. All the prohibited mechandize restored to the claimants, has been so reBritish merchandize into the United States. On the 30th day of July following, the account of stored by order of the court without any interferene, With respect to the declaration of war having reached England, a other than forced acquiescence on the part of the temporary embargo was laid on American vessels; executive officers of government. but on the ensuing day, they were by order of coun- the mode of appraisement, it appears that the mer cil permitted to continue to take cargoes of British chandize has generally been valued at its prime cost, merchandize and to proceed to the United States, adding thereto only the amount of duties, for which being for that purpose provided with licences pro- separate bonds have in most cases been taken. To tecting them, notwithstanding the existing hostili-this there are some exceptions, the valuation being, ties, against capture by British cruizers. It has in Rhode Island below, and in Connecticut probably been stated that the time for obtaining such licences above the prime cost of the goods. From returns transmitted by the collectors, some was, with respect to American vessels then in England, limited to the 15th of September last, and if of which are in part on estimate, it appears that the that be correct, all the vessels of that description, prime cost of all the British merchandize imported, (with the exception of some which having been cap-as above stated, subsequent to the alledged revocatured by American cruizers, re-taken by the British tion of the British orders in council, amounts to and sent into Halifax, have not yet been released, about four millions sterling, and that the bonds giv and perhaps of some which may have had very long en for the value will fall short of eighteen millions Vovares) may be presumed to have arrived in the of dollars, exclusively of the bonds given for duties, and which may be estimated at five milhons of dol United States. This embraces all the importations already It appearing, that however reasonable the expec- Lars tation of the discontinuance of the non-importation made and will not be materially increased by vessels act might have been, yet not only the act had made still on their way, unless it be true, as has been as the president's proclamation the only evidence of the serted, that American vessels which had sailed to fact, but that the restrictions were to cease, not from the Baltic under certain British licences, will, on the date of the revocation of the orders in council, their "rrival in England, be provided with new licenSuch importations would bus from the date of the proclamation; that the act to ces for their return to the United States with cargoes put zerchend ze on bord vessel with intent to im- of British merchandize. port was forbidden by those restrictions, and that form a class distinct from those now under consideras (all the merchandize having been thus laden, either tion. Of the importations heretofore made, about threeprematurely and before a proci mation could in point of time be issued by the president, or fer the know-eighths in value were in vessels which sailed from ledge of war) all the shipments were, therefore, made Eng Land between the 234 of June and the 1st of A in direct contravention of an existing provision; the gust 1st, and the residue in vessels which sailed collectors were instructed to seize and libel all such subsequent to the mouth of July. The whole may be vessels and cargoes without discrimination. No ex-arranged under the following heads, viz. 1. Merchandize purchased prior to the non-impor- [lere follows the letter from the comptroller of tation act of the 2d of March, 1811, and which had the treasury, alluded to in the preceding, and sufiiremamed warehoused in England at the risk of the fciently to be understood from it for general pur American owners. poses.] 2. Merchandize purchased subsequent to the act TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Nov. 23d, 1812. of the 2d of March, 1811, and prior to the 23d of June, SIR-I had already transmitted an answer to your 1812, and which since its purchase had remained in letter of the 18th instant, when I had the honor to the same manner in England. receive that of the 20th, requesting, in addition to 3 Merchandize shipped on American account and the statement of facts, such further and other views risk, in pursuance of orders given prior to the 23d of the subject of the late importations of British maof June, 1812, but not paid for till after the execu-nufactures as I might think proper, and particularly tio of such orders, and on different terms of cred.whether, in my opinion, their importation has not 4. Merchandize shipped in pursuance of similar been actually and materially advantageous to the goorders, but cons.gned in the first instance to the or-vernment. der of the American correspondents of the British Having, n the answer already transmitted, stated merchants, to be delivered according to contingen all the important facts within my knowledge, I caninstructions to the real purchaser; which merchan-not present the subject in any new or other view dize becomes American property, when thus deli-than that exh bited by those facts. vered, but remains till then on British account and risk. count. The payment of five millions of dollars for duties on those importations had been stated, and is advan 5. Merchandize shipped entirely on British ac-ageous to government. Indirect id may also perhaps be derived from the increase of sun plies and from the There are no data from which, without further return of American capital produced by that event. investigation, the amount of each class can be esti- But these advantages whatever they may be, have mated. been forced upon government, and cannot be urged The advance on the prime cost at which the mer-as a service rendered by the importers. Had those chandise thus imported has been or can be sold is not advantages been supposed sufficient to outweigh precisely known, and will undoubtedly vary accord- other political considerations, the importations might ing to the species of the goods. It has been asserted have been, and still be, permitted and regulated by that in some sales the advance was sufficient to cover law. In the case of the Calcutta vessels, whose car not only he prime cost, charges and du ies, but ven goes (for the landing of which in the United States, the whole of the amount of the bonds. That this bond had been given in India) have by the act of 5th may have actually taken place in some particular in-July last, been permitted to entry; this was done on stances may be true; and it is probable that the im-the express condition of the merchandise being porters would, so far as they could, cover in their warehoused and remaining subject to the future dissales, the estimated risk of being obliged to pay position of government: thus reserving the power those bonds. But so far as can be judged from the to fix the terms on which those cargoes should be current price of goods and from sales said to have restored to the owners and their sale be permitted. taken place, the supposition that they have been or In the case now under consideration, the persons who can be generally made so as to cover the whole amount have imported contrary to law, do not seem entitled of the bonds, is believed to be greatly exaggerated. to more advantages than would probably have been It is, however, an indisputable fact that the impor-imposed, had a previous permission been granted. tation falls generally far short of the ordinary former Upon the whole, I continue in the opinion, subannual importations from Great Britain, and of the mitted with great deference to the committee, that actual demand for most species of the merchandize the one half of the forfeitures which would other. imported; and that the goods are accordingly gene-wise fall to the share of the collectors ought to be rally sold at an advance greater than the usual profits remitted; but that, with respect to the one half beof importers. The difference constitutes an extra-longing to the United States, justice to the commu ordinary profit, and is a tax levied on the communi-nity requires that, when remitted, at least an equi-ty by the persons who have imported the merchan-valent may be secured to the public for the extra dize contrary to law; which extra profit or tax is profit, beyond that on common importations, which solely due to the non-importation act continuing in arises from the continuance of the non-importation force with respect to all other persons and impor- act. I have the honor to be, with gret respect, sir, your obedient servant, ALBERT GALLATIN. tations. of the committee of ways and means. mittees of the merchants from Boston, New-York, [Here follows the examinations of several comPhiladelphia and Baltimore maintaining, generally, the fairness of their purchases.] Of the forfeitures accrued, one half is by law Hon. Langdon Cheves, chairman rested in the custom-house officers or informers, and the other half in the United States. The power to remit the share of the United States and of all other persons, in whole or in part, and on such terms and conditions as may be deemed reasonable and just, is by law vested in the secretary of the treasury.But considering the magnitude and unforeseen nature Mr. Russell stated that after the revocation of the of the case, it was thought proper not to exercise orders in council, many of the American merchants that authority until congress had taken the subject did apply to him to obtain his opinion, whether they into consideration, and prescribed if they thought could ship British manufactures to the United States proper, the course to be pursued. All the petitions with safety, or not? That before the revocation of already received remain therefore suspended, and in the orders, upon considering the whole ereumorder to avoid useless expences the parties have stances of the case, examining the words of the law, been generally advised to delay making their appli-and perceiving that its operation depended solely cations in the manner directed by law, until the de-on the revocation of the orders in council; considercision of congress should be ascertained. I have the honor to be, with great respect, sir, your obedient servant, ALBERT GALLATIN. Hon. LANGDON CHEVES, chairman of the committee of ways and means, ing the evident bearing of the examinations in perliament and the ground on which the opposition contended for the revocation of the orders, which was not so much an act of justice to the United States, as the advantage that was promised to their own manu Treasury Report facturers, he thought it his duty to countenance the idea that shipments made after the revocation of the orders would be admitted into the United States; LAID BEFORE CONGRESS DECEMBER 3. that this ground was taken by the advocates for a reIn obedience to the directions of the "Act sup vocation of the ordera, who declared that they would advise their friends to ship as they believed ship-plementary to the act entitled "An Act to establish ments, in the event, of a revocation, might be made the treasury department," the secretary of the treawith safety, and that he thought good policy requir-sury respectfully submits the following report and ed him to countenance the idea, in order to co-operate as far as possible with the advocates of the revocation of the orders. estimates. 1. TO THE END OF THE YEAR 1812. The actual receipts into the treasury during the year ending on the 30th of September, 1812, have consisted of the following sums, viz. Customs, sales of lands, arrears, repayments and all other branches of revenue, amounting together, as will appear more in detail by the statement (E) to That after the revocation of the orders, he continued to declare, and did declare to the merchants who applied to him, as his opinion, that they might make shipments with safety. This opinion applied only to the cases where shipments were made before war; after a knowledge of the war had reached England, he declared distinctly to the merchants, that the ground of a probable annulment of the non-im-On account of the loan of eleven portation act by the government of the United States had ceased. millions of dollars authorised by Mr. Russell stated, however, that after the knowledge of the declaration of war had reached Eng-Total amount of receipts land, he did still advise the American merchants to Making, together with the balance ship: because, if the property remained in England during the war, it would be ruinous to the holders. Many persons, after the revocation of the orders, and in the treasury on the 1st of Oc- $10,934,946 90 5,847,212 50 16,782,159 40 3,947,818 36 $20,729,977 76 before the news of the war arrived, had made pur-An aggregate of chases. He would not be understood to say, that he advised the merchants that in case the law should The disbursements during the same year have been as not be repealed, they would be permitted to enjoy followeth, viz. the advantages of a monopoly and the consequent Civil department, including miscel laneous expences, and those in- teers, fortifications, extraordinary profits, but merely that the property He believed that before the revocation of the orders and after the interdiction, purchases were made under an expectation of a revocation, and these were nude at reduced prices. The depression was not very material: after the revocation there was a rise, but they remained throughout lower than in the common times when the trade was assuredly free. He did not, however, pretend to be very conversant in these matters. Some of the goods were purchased before the 2d February, 1811, but he would suppose they formed a | debt On account of the prin- 1,823,069 35 Amounting together, as will appear 18,368,325 07 2,361,652 69 $20,729,977 76 The statement (El exhibits in detail the payments very small portion of the importations; in the peri-made by the treesury department for the several ol intervening between that date and the revocation branches of the military and naval expenditure dur of the orders, there had been more considerable ining the same year (from 1st October, 1811, to 30th vestments, but he believed the greatest portion was Sept. 1512) and also during the two last months purchased af or the revocation. There was then (October and November, 1812.) grent activity in investments, but he thinks it pro- The receipts for the last quarter of the year, 1812, Fable they were purchased with funds which bad! on account of both revenue and loans, are estimated been remaining there for the purpose, and which at 9,000,000 dollars; and the expenditures (includ were appropriated agreeably to orders which had ing about 1,500,000 dollars on account of the prin been previously given to be executed in the event of cipal of the public debt, and 1,000,000 for the militia) at nearly the same sum. the revocation of the orders in council. 13,100,200 The knowledge of the declaration of war reached) The sums obtained or secured on loan during this England about the 25th or 26th of July. Official year, amount, so far as has been ascertained at the information was not so soon received, and therefore tresury to [a] the embargo which was laid by the British govern ment was not imposed till the 30th July. The order subsequently issued permitting the departure of li- [a] The amount was stated in the president's message censed vessels, but limiting their departure to the at the commencement of the session, at eleven nullions of was extended in some special dollars. The other two millions have been contracted for subsequent to its date. 15th of 1. Expenses of a civil nature, both fo 2. Public debt, viz. Interest including that on new loans 3. Military establishment: $1,500,000 3,300,000 5,700,000 $8,500,000 The estimates of the secretary of war are with respect to the army, predicated on the employinent of the whole force authorised by law, and amounting to 36,700 men of every decription. Adding to this the expense incident to the service of volunteers and militia, and also the increase of pay of the army, the appropriation for arming the militia, and 400,000 dollars of the unexpended balance for fortifications, the whole contemplated expense may be estimated as follow: Armay-Pay,subsistence,bounties, cloth- For treasury notes bearing an annual interest of 5 2-5 per cent. and reimbursable one year after date $13,100,200 From the present demand, it appears probable that the residue of the treasury notés authorised by the act of the 30th June last, and amounting to $1,465,000, will be disposed of prior to the 1st of March next. It may be proper also to state that notwithstanding the addition thus made to the public debt, and although a considerable portion has been remitted from England and brought to market in America, the public stocks, which had at first experienced a slight depression, have been for the last three months, and continue to be, at par. - - YEAR 1813. The nett revenue arising from duties on merchandize and tonnage, which accrued during the year 1810, amounted to $2,513,490. The nett revenue arising from the same sources which accrued during the year 1811, amounted, as will ppear by the statements (A. & B.) to 7,902,560| dollars. The same revenue for the year 1812, is estimated at $12,500,000, of which sum`about $5,500,000 arise from duties on the last importations from Great Britain. Fortifications $9,350,000 Ordnance and armories, 1,850,000 Quarter-master's department & contingencies 2,500,000 900,000 200,000 2,000,000 200,000 $17,000,000 Arming the militia, Volunteers and militia in actual service Commissioned and warrant officers, For 9 frigates and 9 smaller vessels Total, 871 3,620 7,000 1,859 13,360 The custom house, bonds out-standing on the 1st day of Jan. 1813, and falling due in that year, are estimated, after deducting bad debts, at 11,250,000| dollars and it is believed that the probable amount of receipts from that source into the treasury during Amounting altogether to the year 1813, may be safely estimated at 11,500,000 The receipts on account of the revenue dollars. having been estimated at The sales of public lands north of the river Ohio, during the year ending on the 30th September, 1811, Leaves a balance to be provided for by and after deducting the lands which have reverted loans of 12,000,000 $20,925,000 to the U. States, have amounted, as appears by the Of this sum more than one million is already co statement (C.) to 390,000 acres; and the payments tracted for, and there remains on hand a balance of by the purchasers to $790,000. The Indian wars about a million and a half in treasury notes not yet An authority to issue new notes for may affect the sales, and perhaps to a certain extent, disposed of. the amount of payments. It is, however, believed, about two millions and a half more, being the amount that that branch of revenue may together with some reimbursable in 1813, will still keep the whole other small items be estimated for the ensuing year amount issued at five millions,and reduce the amount at $500,000; making the whole amount of probable of the loan to about fifteen millions of dollars. receipts into the treasury for the year 1815, exclu- In order to facilitate the loan, and perhaps to imsively of loans, $12,000,000 prove its terms, it may however be eligible to leave The expenditures of that year are estimated as fol- some discretion in the executive as to the respective amounts of stock and notes to be issued; which may loweth, viz. |