Indiana State Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 25, Indianapolis, Marion County, 11 December 1845 — Page 4
INDIANA STATE SENTINEL.
Annual Report of the Auditor of State.
The Report r,t the Auditor of the State is one of
the most important document presented to the people by Legislative enactment. While a Governor! message may recommend measures for the future, the jlnditor'i Report tells ichat has been done. We shall make but few, if any, comments upon this document. We might refer to particulars in this, as in the Auditor's former report. These matters, however, be-
The Auditor then pive statements of the condition of the various Trust and other Funds, and of the Public Debt. The Report shows that from August, 1332, until the passage of tho act of January 27th, 1343, State Bonds on various accounts were issued to the amount of $15,111,000. Of these there have been redeemed and cancelled $2,611,010, leaving outstanding on the 1st day of November, 1315, 812,500,000. The Agent of State reports that he has received bonds to the amount of $20,000, which would leave the outstanding bonds at this time, 12,190,000, on which amount
long more exclusively to the Legislature.
-Under the 24th section of chap. 6, Revised Statutes, the Bank pays the interest on 31,390,000, leaving to
cf 1343, it is made the duty of the Auditor of the ' be provided for, interest on $11,C90,0C0. State " to report and exhibit to the General Assem- j The amount of interest which will be due, on the bly, at its annual meeting, a complete statement of 1st day of January next, on bonds outstanding, is as the rpveniira. tmahle, funds, resources, incomes and follows, to-wit:
The total payments on account of six per cent treasury notes bave ihr n been t On account of principal, (1,008,565 00 On account of interest, 120,678 07
Total. $1,129.233 07 FIVE PER CENT. TREASURY NOTES. Under lbs act of January 31, 1842, providing for the payment of the debt to the Dank on account of advances for Internal Improvement purposes, five per cent, treasury notes were issued to the amount of $722,640 00 Of these notes, thete were cancelled, Sept. 19, 1S43, $43,350 00 Cancelled January 1Mb, 1844, 91,990 00 Cancelled January 31st, IS 15, 72,405 CO
Value of all taxable ia 1845, Value of samt in 1S14,
$118,615.197 116,237,965
Total to January 31st, 1843,
$210,7 00
Ou $36,000 at icvtn per cent., fur three years and a half, 0a $10,954,000, for five yean, at firs per cent,
property of the State, known to Lis office ; and of the , " '
. , . r mi - - . 9 - r v
puonc revenues, ana expenditures oj ine preceding fiscal year, wilh a detailed estimate of the expenditures to be defrayed from the Treasury for the ensuing year," &c. &c. &.C. The Auditor then gives the receipt at the State Treasury, for the last year, viz : Total receipts from Nov. 1st, 1344, to Oct. 31st, 1945, inclusive, $1,132,413 76 Balance on hand Nov. 1st, 1344, 371,746 44
$30,000 8.S20 2,733,500
40
00
31,504,160 20 The expenditures have been, on the various accounts set forth, $744,032 80 This leaves a balance in the Treasury, on the 1st day of November, 1845. provided all warrants issued prior
to that date bad been paid, of $759,177 There are, however, outstanding warrants to the amount of 10,951
True amount in the Treasury at the dose of the fiscal year, ending Oct. 31, 1345, - - - - S770.12S 40 The Auditor remarks, that ' in reference to this balance which standing unexplained would indicate a high degree of financial prosperity the remark made in the last annual report from this office may here be repeated : It consists almost wholly of a currency which cannot be made available in defraying the ordinary expenses of the government, and possessing no value except as it evidences a gratifying reduction of our public debt. The anticipation indulged at the date of that report, that a sufficient amount of current funds would be paid in, on account
of revenue collected in 1344, to meet the demands up-,
Total, $2,777,320 Our whole foreign debt is then as follows : Bond on which the State has to pay interest, $11,090,000 Bond OB which the Bank pays interest, 1,390.000 Iutciest which will be due January 1st, 1846, 2,777,320 Total, $15.257,320 The following is the amount of interest falling due
annually : On $100,000, at six per cent, $6 000 j On $36,000, at seven per cent., 2 520
Oa $10,954,000, at five per cent., 5 17,700
Total, 1566,220 "The number of polls returned for 1S44, from eighty-four counties, as shown in tabular statement No. 10 of my last annual report, was 112,338, and the total value of taxables in the same counties, was $110,509,803. Since the date of that report, the six counties from which no reports had been received in time, have made returns showing the following amount of polls and taxable property, to-wit :
Potts.
Outstanding January 31st, 1845, The amount received during the last fiscal year, according; to the report of the Treasurer of State, is,
Increa,' $2,377,965 'The increase in the value of our taxable property during the last year, though not so large ss was anticipated, furnishes gratifying evidence of the steadily expanding resources of the State. Since 1340, the increase has been $20,G07,GOO; since 1341, 821,-
372.C57 : and since 1342, $9,722,775. The act of
1S43, exempting from taxation all property not liable to execution, reduced the value of taxables returned that year, compared with their value in 1342, $5,435,290; and the returns for 1345, therefore diow an increase over those of 1313, of $14,208,005. The
average increase has been nearly five and a half mil
The American who looks round, and beholds the elevated position of this great Republic, and contemplates the distant future, when millions of people shall be prospering on the shores of the Pacific, and sees the blessings which tili Gorerntnent bas conferred, and ia yet to coaler upon its own citizens, and ihe oppressed of oibei lands, if he believes in the power of an overruling Provi
dence, who designs results for wise purposes, should net
The late Torcigu Reus We copy the following from the N. Y. " Nevs, as beinr indicative of the effect at the East, of the late news from England, and of the character of the news itself:
The news by the Massachusetts had no other ef-
of the date of the 9th of;
to accept of the
office of Secretary of Stale, should be familiar to every American citizen. The original is now belore me by the favor of a friend, and from it 1 extract the following, italicising the words underscored in the original autograph letter.
I can most religiously aver, 1 nave no wisn which is
OU c jn .,. . . . I incompatible with the disnitv. happiness snd troe inter-
I HODS OI UUiiillO pej muuui, nuiui, it UUf UICSCUl, . ... j . , 1 r , r est of the people of this country. My ardent desire is, 'rstoa nf taxation, would have annually ariiiArl tn the 1 :. i... i .... i... j...j.j
Q-n I - j biiu III J mm uaw uccu iai i a I a s 11 as urpvuucu vfjuii uiv receipts at the treasury about ten thousand dollars. ; Executive department) to comply strictly with all our en-
Outstanding at this date, $411,325 OJ The following amounts of interest bave been allowed on these notes, when received at the treasury i On those cancelled prior to November lit, 1343, $315 76 On those cancelled January 11th, 1844, 3.S23 52 Oa those cancelled January 31st, IS45, 4 ,7 3 51
Total to January 31st, 1S45, Amount allowed on thoe receired during the list fiscal year, as reported by lbs Treasurer of State,
$S,812 79 10,229 31
$19,042 10
Total to this date.
The entire payments on account of fire per cent treasaiy
note have then been i On account of principal, $2SI,315 00 Oa account of interest, 19,042 10
Allen, - Cass, Dekalb. Madison, N-bIe, White,
1,730 1,153 622 1 343 699 441
Taxables. $ 1,711,137 1.084,936 561,310 1,353.610 522 034 403.0S5
Total. $300,357 10 The entire debt of the State, both foreign and domestic,
may be summed op is follows, to witt Bonds on which tho State has to pay interest, Bonds on which the back pays interest, Intent which will be due January 1st, 1346,
Six per cent treasury notes outstanding, Interest now due on six percent tieasury notes.
estimated,
Five per cent treasury notes outstanding, Inteiest now due on five per cent, ticasary
notes, (estimated.)
Loan from the bank, under act of January 15,
1S44,
Tolal, ... 5,996 $5,663,162 These sums being aJded to the returns heretofore reported, would show the number of polls and value of taxable property in the State for 1844 to be as follows, to wit : Poll: ' TaxabLt. 113,334 $116.237,965 The returns for 18-15, in consequence of the de-
i linquency of some of the county auditors, are still
mnrp rifirint than thpv vpi-f last vfnr: hut from an
on the Treasury, during the year just closed, has been examination cf those already received, the opinion is nearly realized. Up to this date, all claims which justified that the number of polls for 13 15 will be inhave been presented and audited, have been liquidated creased about 6,000 over the returns for 1344, and without inconvenience to the public creditors; and it ! the value üf taxables about $-2.300.000. According is presumed that but little embarrassment will be en- ? l?la '"-nd it is to be regretted that a full r ' statement cannot now be officially made the number countered in providing for the payment of such as ( 0f assesSed in 134Ö would be 121.334. and the may fall due, from this time until the present year's - value of taxable property 8119,537,905. Adopting revenue shall be paid in. The balance now in the j these amounts as the basis of calculation, and supTreasury, it is true, is not available to any considera- ' P03'10? our treasury note circulation absorbed, the . . , . ..,D,R . . ,' following statements will show the amount that would Die extent, out as me revenue ior is-io is now in .i,.. u. ryA Jer .KChrvnt
process of collection, the holders of warrants hereafter to be issued can readily convert them into cash, by presenting them for payment to the County Treasurers. Our treasury note circulation having been so largely reduced, and the notes being now at & high premium, in consequence of the accumulated interest, the opinion may be expressed with the utmost confidence, that the amount of current funds, which will
be collected and paid in, on account of the present j year's collections, will be more than sufficient to free
labored, for the last three years. And having once got rid of these embarrassments, it may safely be relied upon, that economy in our expenditures and prompt collections of revenue, will preclude all necessity of again resorting to that short-sighted policy, which, for the sake of present relief, postpones the evil that is sure to come with increased aggravation at last." The Auditor gives the expenditures of the State Government for the fiscal year, ending Oct. 31st, 1S45, which amount in the aggregate to $71,122 29. ' The expenditures on the samo accounts, (with the exception of Presidential Electors,) for the year 1344, was $93,363 73 thus showing a reduction for the year 1S45 of $22,246 44 an amount large
trenchment and economy. Ihe accounts which nave undergone the largest reduction are those for public printiug, and for stationery and fuel the former having been reduced $11,624 59, and the latter $10,802 44, making an aggregate of $22,427 03, only $3,000 less than the entire expenses of the Legislature at one session. The judiciary account has been reduced over $3,000, and the expenditures for specific purposes above $2,500. The probate account is sorr.e $1,300 larger than last year, and considerably more than was anticipated when the estimate was made, in the last annual report from this office, of the probable amount of ordinary expenditures for 1345 ; this has occurred principally in consequence of many claims of long standing having been presented and liquidated ; in the absence of these, the estimate would probably not have been exceeded. It is to be regretted that the expenditures for conveying convicts to the State Prison have, also, exceeded the amount estimated and appropriated." The amounts necessary to meet the ordinary expenditures for 1346, the Auditor estimates under the different heads to be $07,100 00. "These estimates," says the Auditor, "contemplate & reduction of four thousand dollars, as compared with the expenditures of 1S45, largely as they were reduced from those of previous years. The State House having undergone thorough repair during the last year, the expenditure on that account, for some years yet, will probably not exceed the amount above estimated, ($500,) and which is designed merely to cover the necessary outlay in improving the grounds, and preparing the houso for the reception of the Legislature." - He recommends, as another step towards economy, ai well as preventing embarrassment at the Treasury, that the appropriation towards the State House be put under the control of the Librarian, and his certificates be vouchers for the necessary warrants. Under an honett Librarian, such as we have at present, we second the recommendation with all our heart. The report then gives the unexpended balances, viz: Lezislature, - - - - $1.220 41 Public Printing, - - 10,365 81
Stte PrUoo (conveying convicts.) - 623 52
Fpecific Appropriations, - State House, - - New Stats Prison, - - - - Contingent Fand, - - - - Governor' House, - - - - MiJitia, ( Adjutant and Quarter-master General,)
Tstat, - $19,735 23
It also gives the appropriation overdrawn :
Judiciary, - Probat Jndje, - - f tale Library, Stationery sad Fuel, - - Executive Oflcers, - Proitcnting Attorneys,
Total, - - - - $M,39S 63 The Auditor adds: "Tha appropriations overdrawn are about the same as they were last year, with the xception of tho probate account, which, for the reasons above specified, has been considerably augmented. As all these objects of expenditure, however,
are provided for by permanent appropriations, under
the lit Article of Chapter XIII., Revised Statutes of
1S43, it is supposed that lbs excess involves no vio
lation of jaw."
as a fund to be appropriated to the payment of inter
est on our public debt. " An sjessme nt of 50 cents on each poll, supposing the number cf polls to be, in runi numbers, 12t,000, would givs .... $62,000 An assessment of 20 cents on each $100 of taxables, setting djwn the amount at $113,000,000, would give ....... 236.0C0
Total, Deduct fiom this am unt. Delinquencies on the assessments for the year, ..... $50,000 Costs of Collection, ... 16,000 Annual ordinary expendituies of the State, 75,000 Total, Surplus in the treasury, - - - An assessment of 50 cents on each poll, and 25 cents on the $100 of taxables, wonld give Delinquencies ol former jean collected, - -
$333,000
111,000
$193,000 $357,000 35,000
Total, Deduct for delinquent on $337,000, $60,000 Cots of collection, - 17,000 Annual expenditures of the State, 75,000 Total, -------
$392,000
$152,000
Suri'lu in Ihe treasury, - - - -An asesment of 50 cents on each poll, and 30 cents on each $100 of taxables, would give -Delinquencies of former yeais collected, - Total, ------- Deduct fur delinquencies on $416,0C0, $70,000 Cojts of colled ion, - 13,500
Annual expenditure of the State, 75,000
$240,000 $416,000 40,000
Total,
$456,000
$163,500
Surplus in the treasury, - - - - An ascsment of 50 cents on each poll, and 35 cents on the $100 of taxable, would give Delinquencies of fotmer years collected, -
$292,500
$475.000
45,000
Total, - Deduct for delinquencies on $175,000, Cofts of collection, - Annual expendituie of State, - Total, -
$SO,000
19.500 75 000
- $520,000
$174,500
4,721 39 302 36 2,400 00 10 60 113 63 24 43
$14,141 5t 2,731 00 115 27 7,517 21 501 85 341 79
Surplus ia the treasury, ... $345,500 To meet the whole annual interest account, there
would be required a levy of fifty cents on each poll,
and sixty cents on each hundred dollars of taxable
property, even should the ratio of delinquency remain
the same as above estimated; this, however, cannot reasonably be anticipated. The resources of our
people remaining the same, it must be evident that so large an advance in the rate of taxation must be attended wilh a heavy increase of the taxes returned
delinquent.
In the event that the Wabash and Erie canal should
be completed to Evansville, out of the proceeds of the
lands donated by the General Government for that purpose, it is supposed by many persons, whose ac-
quiimance wiui suojects oi mis tuna entities tneir opinions to great respect, that the profits of the work
will obviate, to no small extent, the necessity of a
resort to direct taxation. Traversing as that work
will for nearly four hundred miles, a region of coun
try unrivalled in the fertility of its soil, and rapidly
filling up with an enterprising and industrious popu
lation, for the surplus produce of whose labor a ready access to market will thus be opened, it is believed
that this canal, when onco completed, will compare
favorably, in point of business done and profits realized
with any similar improvement in the United States. SIX PER CENT. TREASURY NOTES.
The Legislature, at the session of 1339-40, by an
act, which went into effect on the 15th day of Feb.,
1Ö4Ü, providing for the relief of contractors and
others engaged on the public works, directed the issue
of Treasury Xotes to the amount of one million and a half of dollars, bearing six per cent, interest, and receivable in payment of taxes. Under that act,
Treasury Notes were issued as follows, to wit :
Amount issued to October. 1840, $1,289,000 Amount issued to December, 1810, 43,000 Amount issued to October, 1841, 121,000 Amount issued to August, 1842, , 47,000
Total, Of ibis smount there were cancelleJ.
Jone 2, 1841, $147,700 September 19, 1813, 393,565 January 11. 1844. 200.525 January 3 1, 1845, 1 14.540 Total, Amount outstanding; January 31, IS45, The amount received darin; the last fiscal year, as reported by the Treasurer of Stale, is
$1,500,000
$861 330
$633,670 147.235
$491,435
Amount outstanding at this date, The amount of interest allowed on these notes when received at the treasury, wss ss follows :
Am't allowed on those cancelled Jane 2, 1841, $4,403 81
Am'tsllowed on those csncelled Sept. 19, 1943, 23.910 33
Am t allowed on those cancelled Jan. 11, 1844, 28,353 00 Am't allowed on those cancelled Jan. 31, 1845, 22.659 90
Total to January 31, 1845, $84,331 07
Am I allowed on those received during the year 1815, as reported by the Treasurer of Slats, " 36,346
$11.090.000 1.390,000 2,777,32 491,435 147,000 441,325 69,003 56,000
The average value per acre of lands and improvements in 1341 was S3 19 ; in 1941, $5 59 ; in 1343, 5 09 ; in 1341, $5 05, and for the present year, is Si 03; thus showing a reduction each year on the value per acre, notwithstariding the improvements
that, in a State whose population has increased like ours, must have been made, to so large an extent."
The Auditor then proceeds to state the probable cause
of this reduction, and recommends legislative action
on the subject.
Also, a tabular statement exhibiting the amount of
taxes assessed in the several counties, fur various
purposes, which, excepting seven counties not returned, shows the following result :
Amount messed for Sute purpoe for 1843, Amount assessed for county purposes,
Amount assessed Tor road purposes, Amount assessed for school purposes,
Amount assessed for township purpose,
$16,462.0S0 The amount of interesl to be paid annually on the forego-
irg debt. Is as fullows, to witt Interest on bonds as above stated, $556,220
Interest on six per cent, tieasnry notes, 29,456
Interest on five per cent tieasury notes, 22,066
Total, $607,772 "Thus it will be seen that the faith of the State
stands pledged for the ultimate payment of a debt
nearly equal to one-seventh of the value of all its
taxables, and for the payment of an annual interest
account about equal, at this time, (without including the interest falling duo on the bank bonds,) to one half of one per centum of the value of all its taxable property. Such an amount of indebtedness is well
calculated to excite in the mind of every one having the prosperity of the State at heart, the most painful forebodinr ; but ffloomy as the future undoubtedly
is, the path of honor is still clearly discernible ; and with a steady determination on the part of our people and their representatives to walk in it, we need not give up all hope of final extrication from our perilous position. Between duty and disgrace, a State l.ke ours cannot hesitate to choose. Without asking impossibilities from our people, or grinding them to the
dust with ruinous and oppressive taxation, leading to a los;! of all respect for their government and laws,
we may still furnish the world with evidence, that
we regard the slightest breach of plighted faith as
exhibiting a want of that moral principle upon which
obligations depend,' and that in our opinion any State
which may refuse to acknowledge the sanctity of just
obligations, 'will have forfeited her .station in the sisterhood of States, and no longer be worthy of their confidence and respect, And it would be fortunate
for the reputation of the State, as well as gratifying to our creditors, should this evidence consist, hercajler. of some definite action, rather than general ex
pressions of legislative opinion. No time could be
more propitious for such action than the present ; each year that passes by without some provision being made for our public debt will add heavily to its weight ; and should we continue to shrink from the assumption of just responsibility, the time cannot be far dis
tant when even the hope of relief will be lost. As
yet, there is nothing in the past that need excite u senst- of humiliation. Reproaches from certain Quar
ters have not been wanting1, but happily for the character of the State, it has been found less dtficult to indulge in denunciatory epithets, than to find the evidence that would justify their use. In the last four
vcars, the State of Indiana has raised, by the direct
tax upon the persons and property of ber citizens, the
sum of $1,150,000, besides defraying the expenses of
collection, which may be estimated at $0,000 more thus making the requisition upon the tax-paying
population amount to more than SoOO,UtHJ per annum
During the same period she has contributed towards
the payment of her debt existing in the shape of six
per cent- treasury notes, as will be seen by reference
to the preceding part of this report, upwards of
eleven hundred thousand dollars a fact to which her
people may appeal in vindication of the fair fame of
the State from the odium of repudiation. Her obligations to her own citizens, to the amount of more than two millions of dollars, have, in the embarrassed
6tate of her finances, not only justified but rendered
imperative, a temporary postponement of the claims of her foreign creditors; under like circumstances, such has been the policy of all governments, and it is
too sound in principle and too well fortified by prea.. a
ceaeni, t j oe a proper crouna ior censure : out our
domestic debt having been reduced to a comparatively
inconsiderable amount, the cheering prospect is now presented, that there must soon accumulate in the
treasury, even unjfler our present rate of taxation, a
fund, which if not sumcient fully to meet all just de
mands on account ot our public debt, may serve, in
connection w ith other resources, as a basis fcr some arrangement wilh the holders of our bonds, acceptable
to them and not dishonorable to ourselves. And bav
ing once agreed upon some mutually satisfactory
principles of adjustment, we may safely trust that, with an economical government and a law-abiding and faith-preserving people, .the credit of our State
will again be restored, her honor forever placed
beyond the reach of suspicion, and the tide of popu
lation that is now sweeping beyond our borders be stayed in our midst, and its energies directed to the
further development of our resources.
The balance of the Report comprises statements of
the Receipts and Expenditures on account of the various Public Works ; statement of business done on
the Wabash and Erie Canal during the year 1845, so far as reports had been received ; assessment and col
lection of taxes for 1S44, &.c. ; a tabular statement
exhibiting the number of polls and acres of land, and
the value of lands, value of improvements, value of
town lots and buildings, value of corporation stock, value of personal property, and the total value of all
taxables, assessed for 1345, in the several counties
in this State, excepting the counties of Allen, Cass, Crawford, Dekalb, Richa-dville, Spencer and White,
from which no returns have been received. Estimat ing these counties the same as last year, the follow
ing will show the taxables of the State for 1345 as
compared with 1344.
Polls returned in IS4.5, 124,540 Polls returned in 1844, 11331
00
ToUl to this dste.
$130,678 07
Increase, Acres of land assessed in 1815, Acre assessed ia 1841, Incresse, Value of lands in 1845, Value of lands in 1344, Increase, - Value of improvement ia 1813, Value of sam in 1844, Increase, Value of town lots and buildings in IS IA, Value of saffl ia 1844, Increase, Value of corporation stock in IS 45, Value of same in 1844, Increase, Value of personal property in 1S45, Value of same in 1814, Incresse,
6,206 16,206,176 15,616,319
6S9.S57
$57,943,431
56.S59.2S9
$I,0S4,142 $22,50 1,9 10
22,020,961
$4S049 $13.031,163
13,838,070
$193,098 $176,233
168,575
. $7,723 $4.962,390
. M.35 1,070
i
t $611,320
$319,424 51 312,78.5 S9 1C6.936 75 6,904 00 4,470 76
Total assessments for 1S45, 750,524 91
Arid delinquencies cf former year charged on
the duplicate for 1S43, - 113,572 13
Total amount of the duplicate for 1S45, $S69,097 04 The Auditor estimates the amount to be collected
on the duplicates for 1945, at $375,324 51.
The Auditor closes, by referring to the conflicting
provisions of the law relative to the tenure of office of county treasurers, and an Appendix relative tn the State Prison, Borrowers of Trust Funds ; and tolls
and expenditures on the Wabash and Erie Canal.
We may again have occasion to allude to the Re
port, and particulars not noticed above.
Win. Cost Johnson upon the Oregon
liietioii. We find the following letter from the Hon. Wm
Cost Johnson, in the N. Y. Journal of Commerce of
Nov. 20. Jlr. Johnson i3 well known as a late mem
ber of Congress from Maryland. Being a Whig in
politics, his views in favor of Oregon will be regarded with the greater interest, as they cannot be sup-
posed to grow out of any special attachment to the
Administration of 3Jr. folk.
Washihgtoii, Nov. 17, 1843 To tht Editors of the Journal of Commerce.
GcsTLEMtJf My attention has been called to a letter
in a late number of vour paper, in which some pointed
allusion is made to opinions of mine, on the Oregon ques
tion, while acting in an ouicial capacity as chairman oi
a select Committee, in the House of Representatives ot
tne United Slates.
I believe with your correspondent, that many of the
Whigs in Congress were in favor of asserting the title of
ihe Lnited States to the whole of Oregon.
His (tatements in regard to the lteport on Mate relief
made by me, in the session of 1342-U, ssem to call for
some explanation.
When anting as Chairman of that Committee, it be
came my duty to make a Report in accordance with the
views of its members. In the progress ot those labors 1
called on the Commissioner of Public Land, for an esti
mate of ihe number ot acres ofall the public lands of the
United states. Me furnished me with a copy of a table
in which the area ot the public lands was calculated to the 4'Jih degree of North latitude. This statement I was unwilling to incorporate in the report, and required the Commissioner to make the calculation to the latitude of 54 degrees 40 minutes. The Commiwtoner informed me
that he previously furnished Lord Asnourton witn a
copy of the same or a similar table, calculated to the 49lh degree.
As I considered the title of the U. S. was as good to all of Oregon as a part, and was valid as to the whole, I required the calculator to embrace what I believed to be all the lands of the United States. It was accordingly made, rnd entered on the books of the Land Olfice, and I was furnished with a copy, which will be found in House report 206, 3d session of the 23th Congress, ss follows : " In making the foregoing estimate, the parallel of 49 degrees of North latitude was taken as the northern boundary of Oregon territory. If the parallel of 54 degrees 40 minutes, (the Northernmost line claimed by the United States,) be taken as the boundary, then 104,040,000 acres wilt be added to the whole surface, and the aggregate amount of the public domain remaining to be sold by the United States will be 1, 042,731, 673 acres, which at the minimum price of Ihe public lands, would yield a revenue of $1,303,414,706. " A true copy from the record ; THOMAS 11. BLAKE, Commissioner. " Hon. W. Cost Jorhsos, Chairman Select Com. on State Relief, House of Representatives." In the body of the Report, at page 13, is the following
sentence: " Bv the estimate of the Commissioner of
the General Land Office, ("referring to the Commissioner's report in the appendix,) the quantity of land, yet unsold, or claimed by the United States, is one thousand forty-two millions seven hundred and thirty-one thousand, seven hundred and sixty-five acres, which, estimated at one dollnr and twenty-five cents per acre, the
minimum Government price, would make the sum of
their value to he, one thousand three hundred and three millions, four hundred and fourteen thousand, seven hundred and six dollars and twenty-five cents, being nearly seven times the amount of Government stock proposed to be issued." When the lteport was read to the Committee, it was approved, and signed by the members in the following
order :
fagemenls foreign and domestic; but to keep the United Slates free from political connexions with every other country to see them independent of all, and under the
influence of non. In a word, 1 want an .imcncan character, that the powers of Europe rot) be convinced we
act ior ourseiv?, ana not ior outers, i ins, in my juug ment, is the only way to be respected abroad, and happy at home; and not by becoming the partizans of Great
untain or r ranee, create oiseensions ; aisiuro me puolie tranquillity ; and dissolve, perhaps, forever, the cement which binds the Union.
" I am satisfied that these sentiments cannot be other
wise than congenial to your own vour aid therefore in
carrying them into effect, would be flattering and plea
sing to,
" uear ir, " Vour most obed't and " very hb'le serv't, (J. WASHINGTON. 1 " Patrick Henry, Eq." And further. lei me here introduce a paragraph from
a letter of one of the most distinguished and eloquent Statesmen of America, Fisher Ames, of old Massachu
setts. I have been fortunate to light my eye on this au
toffrapli letter from .Mr. Amei. written to Alexander
White, or Winchester, Virsmia, a member of the old Congress, dated May 24. 1794, and never before pub
lished. After freely and fully discussing the state ot the Nation, he proceeds to say ''We have still, however, too much of them, (alluding to foreign interference.,) Great Britain has conducted in a manner not fo be borne,
and confidence in the r rench ought to have its limits
would not offend any of them, by needlessly showing
distrust, but 1 would not hazard America by really lay it aside. Let them all keep at a civil distance."
The great and wise principles here laid down, should never be abandoned. The father of his country wished
to establish an American character that we should act
for ourselves, and not for others, and not only make the
sentiment known, but maintain it before the world. Our
national movement is onward. Those at home who are in the habit of predicting the dissolution of our Union, may bave believers abroad, but they bave no prosselytes at home. There are some, who for peculiar considerations desire the abandonment of our claim to Oregon, and speak of a separate Republic. 1 humbly conceive that they will have but few to join their standard ; either ready to parcel out our territory to a foreign power, or countenance the establishment of an independent sovereignty on its soil. The strength and durability of the nation is in the magnitude of its surface. Temporary excitements in on section are spent almost before known at the extremities. In expressing the opinion that the title of the United States is good to the entire of Oregon, and the hope that the nation will never abandon its claim, I would not be considered at entertaining the desire that it should act precipitately ; but with dignity aud courage, which avoids all extremes Very respectfullv, WILLIAM COST JOHNSON.
ther be disturbed nor annoyed, when the question is! feet upon the market than to excite the floor market
asked too often by fir what to be the course of En- and put up the views cf holders very considerably, gland and France ? Some ask $7. About 2500 bbls were sold at $0 75.
i us principles us . asinous ..n.Bj TPoT r The btivcrs generally were looking for the news by . M Lft., ts. P.innt ll.n At IIia flat Ol tha 'Ith n F ..- J
ill ill. ivhvi iiuivn ..VII. , , w. ...w
In.. 1 o", ... i.: -i- i. I. ; m
. . -, M.w, ... niiKii j . 'in tr. v. iiiv C r. . . 1 .
per 5G lbs. Canal oats 50a52 cents; Southern 4 la45.
liarley, prime C3 cents.
Ihe news from abroad, by the Britannia, is of a
singular character. I here is no doubt but that the
deficiency of food in Ireland is very alarming, but a
large proportion ot the excitement on the subject must
be attributed to political agitation. The free trade
interest in England, and the repealers in Ireland, are
makinjr the most of the matter to overthrow existing
regulations. In fact the proceedings at Concilia
tion Hall" may almost be looked upon as attempting, through panic, to legislate for Ireland as an indepen
dent nation. The result may be a great modification
of duties on corn. All the markets are eurprisipirlr
firm under the circumstances. The railway gambling in shares has broken down, but the sound railway property is better than ever. The only results will be fewer applications to Parliament and a less demand for money for the " 10 per cent, deposit." The speculation in yarns for Germany, in anticipation of an advance in the duties of the Zollverein, has also stopped, from the announcement that the duties vill not be raised a favorable result. The United States are the only hope for a supply of food, and a mild or late winter will add millions of wealth to our farmißg interest.
William Cost Johnson, Meredith P. Gentry, Jnhn Quincy Adams, Zadock Casey,
James 11.
James Cooper, Thomas F. Marshall, Calvary Morris, Jacob M. Howard, Cravens.
The appendix being not completed, at the time, I was authorized by the Committee to prepare it, and it was ordered to be printed by the House of Representatives, on the 2d March, 1S43. How far the several members of the Committee may
consider themselves committed in favor of the claim of
the United States to all of Oregon, can onlv be decided by themselves. 1 examined the subject, at the -time, and subsequent examination has confirmed my convictions that the entire claim of the United States is good. It had never been viewed as a party question, and I hope it never will be. What results party excitement may produce, I will not speculate upon. Notwithstanding there exists a Treaty between the United States and Great Britain, for the joint occupation of Oregon as far north as the 54th deg.40 min., it is sometimes saiJ that if we assert our right to all of Oregon, it may produce serious difficulties between the United States and Great Britain ; and for this reason it is urged, by some, that the U. Stales should abandon their claim to all the territory beyond the 49th degree of north latitude, &c. Although the treaty did not settle the question in dispute, it did not strengthen the English claim, nor weaken that of the United States. It left the right and title of the United States as previously existing, and nothing since has impaired, either the validity of our original title, or lessened our capacity to maintain it. It is doubtless unwise, in either England or the United States, to desire a war between the two countries, nor do the Ceople of either country desire it ; bnt the people of the Tnited States are the last in the world to abandon a just right under the apprehensions of a war. It is not their character. This is not a time when the United States can abandon any of her proper rights. The recent efforts of England and Fiance to prevent the annexation of Texas and thereby prevent the spread of our republican institutions, forbid it, if there were not other high considerations. - Whether the language of M. Guizot, ss the organ of the French Cabinet, (which was substantially that France will interfere, in restraining the growth, and power and glory of this Republic, by maintaining the balance of power,) was induced in consideration of ihe expected protection and g Jardianship of the English Government in the lineal descent ot the French Crown, or the result of a candid repugnance, on the part of the King of France, to Ihe growth of republican institutions, I will not attempt to decide. If the former reason controlled, it was an insult to the French people; if the latter, an indignity to the United Slates. I believe the Commissioner mads subsequent report to Conreft hit annual report and sgain Included the whole of Oregon, In bis estimate of the public domain. .
The Corn Crops of Europe. The Journal of Commerce extracts from the Gazette cTAugsburg, the following article on the crops of 1345 in Europe. Our readers should remember that the term corn is applied as we apply the word grain. - The article will be of interest to our people, and may be profitable to such as take newspapers : " Accoiding to the custom we have adopted, we shall divide our account of the results of the last crop into two parts one referring to the east, and the other to the west of Europe. For several years past the east threatens us with sterility; it first of all began in Russia, spread over Poland
and Prussia, and appeared even this year likely to diiluse itself in the east uf Germany. Experience has generally proved that in the boreal latitude the rainy years are moie sterile than the dry ones. This fact has aain been confirmed during the last years. It was humidity that diminished the crops a few yeais ago in Rusia, and which produced the liüe effect in FuUud, Caliria and Upper Silesia, in the course of last year. Iu Germany the humidity has not produced any unfavorable consequences, but in ceitain countries ; theie aie others, on the conti ary, which have suffered for want of rain. Tbe results of the crops are, in the mean time, far from being satisfactory, and, from the calculations which bave beeu made, will not suffice the public consumption. " It is far fiom our intention to represent the situation of things in more dreary colors than belong to it; but we dj not wish, and we ought not, to exaggerate tbe advantages of it, desirous as we are of attaining our present object, which is to furnish an exact appreciation of actual circumstances. We shall separately name the different countries, and indicate the supplies they stand in need or can dispose of. " Russia will have sufficient corn lor the whole empire, without purchasing any foreign corn. Its governments are in a position to assist mutually each other, but it is very doubtful whether they can send much orn abroad. " The crops of Poland are not sufficient for its general consumption, and, unless it has been previously supplied, will suffer from a scarcity, or be obliged to receive corn from abroad. But whom can one have recourse to when one's neighbors have only had themselves but middling crops, and have not wherewith to supply the deficiency? Money also is scarce in Poland, and important sams cannot be sent abroad to purchase corn. M Tbe kingdom of Prussia has greatly suffered last year, and this from inundations, which bave ravaged precisely its most feitile countries; and want, which is generally felt there, is ou the point of transforming itself into actual famine. "The news from Pomerania agrees in stating that the results of the last crops are very mediocre. " In the Grand Ducby of Posen only a middling crop has been obtained, and ar.teiior provisions can alone prevent a scaicity. The author does not remember having heard such numerous and general complaints, unless it be in the years ISOland 1S17. God grant that the nnforfunate events of that epoch be not again reproduced ! There are in this province whole countries where the usual corn-sellers will be obliged themselves to make purchases the next spring. The situation of Galicia is still worse. The price of rye rose 60 per cent, immediately after the crops: it is still on the rise. " In Hungary, which is usually so productive, the government has bee- obliged to lay in large stores of corn to prevent a famine. The hope entertained of having good crops has been still more craelly disappointed than in Silesia. . " Ia Austria, Moravia, and Bohemia, the results of this year's crops art below those of the average ones, and must scarcely suffice for tbe general consumption. M If we consider the west of Germany, we find first of all, that the crops in Saxony have not precisely failed, although they are very far from being abundant. The same may be said of the provinces of Brandenburg and of Magdeburg. Bavaria, like other countries, has ufTered greatly this year from bail-storms and waterspouts; the results of the crops have in consequence been diminished, as likewise by the state of the atmosphere, which bas shown itself but little favorable to tbe cultivation of corn. " Wurtemburg, the country of Baden, Westphalia, and tbe Rhenish provinces, have been better treated; but the disease which has ravaged tbe potato crop will be severely felt. Nevertheless, the potato ciop bas been generally good throughout western Germany; it will supply many deficiencies in the crops of other places, although tbey are not so much grown as in other parts of Germany. M Belgium and Holland have had but bad crops; and the news from France sufficiently proves that this year has not been a productive ooe. w Spain occupies but an inferior rank among corn-growing countries; still reports from this country do not mention that the crops have been deficient. England, wheie the states of the European continent generally find a market for their surplus corn, appears today to be re-assured on tbe wants of its internal consumption, or at least the alarming news which arrived from that country has been succeeded by much more favorable intelligence. Those who count upon com supplies from the Baltic and piovinces of the North Sea will be greatly deceived ; tbe prices of these productions will first of all be very high, and in the second place the quantities that can be supplied very small. A gteat quantity of wheat bas this year been struck by blight, and this disease, which has spread throughout Germany, Poland, and Hungary, has deteriorated the quality of the corn as well as diminished the quantity. Further, it cannot now be accurately known whether at a later period England will not be reduced to supply itself fiom abroad, for it is well known that it is only in case of an abundaot crop that enough corn can be grown for the country. In the contrary case she will look to supplies from America, or from the countries bordering on the Black Sea. la Scandinavia, that is to say, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, the crops have not been satisfactory. In a few words, then, it may he said that for many yean past there has not been so unfavorable a year as tbe present one and if it be added that last year only furnished but indifferent crops in comparison with the preceding ones, ibis circumstance ought to give rise to measures being taken to prevent the danger which threatens us."
f)7"It will be seen by the Legislative reports, that Messrs. Lockhart. McDonald, and Jeremiah Smith have been elected Judges for the 4th, 10th, and 11th Judicial Circuits, for the term of seven yean each.
(7"Col. A. C. Fepper, through Morrison's Democrat, denies one of the statements, while he admits the truth of the rest, contained in the 14th chapter of the Political Mysteries of Indianapolis. He ventures to make this bold denial, because, be thinks, and so says, that no one was present but ourselves, when be made the proposition that tre should nominate Cass last winter. It happens that another, and a disinterested person, was present, and did hear Tepper make the proposition now denied by him.- When the proper time comes, the testimony of this person, fa addition to our own, will be forthcoming. Every word of the statement in question is true, and we can fröre
it. The public therefore can judge as to whose " rcracity, integrity, and honor1 comes up missing, and as to who is guilty of deliberate falsehood.
Noland's Fork Railroad. The people of Centreville, Indiana, as we learn from the Wayne County Record, are bent cn making a Railroad from Centreville to Counersville, to connect with the Whitewater Canal. At a meeting at Centreville on the löth inst., nearly $'20,000 were subscribed, and the Record ü of opinion the work will be made, 03-Reid's beautiful poem, "Gulzar, or the Rose Bower," based on translations of the great Tersian poet Hafiz, is selling rapidly. Lovers of elegant literature should call at the bookstore without delay. 07-Mrs. Bolton's Lines on the Battle Ground of Tippecanoe, are very highly spoken of, as being among the best of many good pieces written by that lady. 07-Tlie proceedings of several County Conventions which have appeared in the Tri-Weekly, are necessarily excluded from the columns of our Weekly paper. New Post Office. A new post office has been established at Kokomo, Richardville county, and A. Clark, Esq. appointed postmaster.
OrFrom fifty to sixty thousand pounds weight of lead mineral has been raised by eight miners in one day in Illinois. The mineral sold at $22 per thousand. Taking fifty-five thousand as the amount raised, it would make the product of one day's labor of eight men, one thousand two hundred and ten dollars. This is the most profitable day's work ever performed in th mines.
Short sentences sometimes do more than long discourses. We can remember the one, while we can scarcely find time to read the other. One is like a guide post ; distinctly pointing out our way ; the other like a general map, in which we are often puzzled, after a long search to find out where we are.
THE MARKETS.
$4 25a4 31 2 87a 3 25 2 31a2 50 90a 1 00 63a 69 54a 54 42a 44
5ja6
6 87 7 00 4 37a 4 44 3 87a4 12 1 45a 1 50 79a 80 85a 87 52a 53 7a S
CIXCIXXATT, Dec 2, 1345. Hogs We could find but a few sales in our round this mom ing. A sale yesterday afternoon of 359 bead, a v wt 2S0 lbs., at f4 50 ; 200 do, good, at same ; 300 do. av wt 200 lbs. at $4 40 ; 50 do. av wt 230 tn 25!) lh st t.l AS. Ql An art 9 iCt IK. . A 37 A
, -. v - , . -. - - this morning of 170 head, a medium lot, at $4 50. At this rate, however, there are more sellers then buyers. The third lot of Indiana bogs arrived this morning. Flour A sale of a wagon load of Rye Flour this morning at $4 30. Wheat flour is selling by dray load from store at $4 30a4 50. There is no demand for shipment. Tbe last sale was at $5. NEW YORK, Nov. 25, 1S45. The quantity of bread stuffs now coming to tide wster is near 300,000 bbls per per week, worth $2,100,000 weekly. The price of other provisions is also advancing. The receipts of Flour and Wheat at tide water will reach fully 3,000,000 bbls. against 2,500000 bbls. last year the latter averaged $4$ per barrel, and sold fur $11,100,000. Tbe present price of Flour is $7, and if tbe receipts, as they may command $6 average, the value will be $13,000,000 sold from the canal. This for one article only gives a credit of $7,000,rX)0 more against the Atlantic cities in favor of the West, than was the case last year. This amount must either be remitted tbilher in increased sales of goods or in specie. It will be specie to some extent, but the swelling credits of banks in this State and ia Ohio will promote extensive purchases of goods, and tend, in an eminent degree, by diverting trade from its legitimate channels to bring on a revulsion. In order to observe tbe immense benefit whish a foreign demand is to the farmeis, we will compare piices August 1 and Nov. 19 in the IStw
lork market Genesee Flour, Rye Corn Meal, Wheat, bushel, Rye, North, Corn, Oats, " Cheese,
We mentioned lately the probable course cf the Flour market in relation to the English demand. It is now well
M7crainea inai an me accounts wnicn reacnea us oi toe state of the harvest were grossly exaggerated. Tbe English crops are deficient to some extent, but less so than on some occasions. The state of the Irish potato crop is a matter of more importance, and it operates peculiarly. It appears that many potatoes, dug in a state apparently healthy, decay rapidly when put down for preservation, and therefore a real want may take place early ia Ihe spring. At present piices are not high, nor is there any real distress. If tbe accounts bmugnt are true to any considerable extent, it will not be until early in the summer that the effects will become apparent. If tbe potatoes will not keep, holders will naturally press sales, and this will depress prices for the present, until exhaustion makes the demand real. In order le counteract the anticipated evils, the Dublin corporation proposed two measures, which, if adopted by the imperial government, will be of great interest to tbe United States. These are to prohibit the export of food from Ireland, and also distillation. In order to estimate the effect which such measures would produce upon the supply of food in Ireland, we may take the number of quarters of each kind of grain imported into England for twenty-one years, in periods of
seven years each i Wheat 4- Flour. Oats ileal. Barley, qrs.
1821-27 2,9U5S0 8,335,915 1828-34 4,672.825 12,460,102 IS35-41 2.9S9.C60 15.454,636
in is is equal to zpw,uuu nuneis oi wneat per annum. The quantity of liquor distilled in Ireland, according lo official returns, is 14,000,000 gallons average, which is equivalent to 8,000,000 bushels of grain or food, some being potatoes, barley, ffce. These two measures would, therefore, give Ireland 10,500,000 bushels of food more, providing those who most want it are able to buy, and thus tbe goTernmeat will probably aid by the construction of public woiks to employ them. The effect will be on England to enhance the deficit cf ber own crops by the amount usually obtained fiom Ireland, and withheld. This must be procured from the United States. Tbe stoppage of the distillers will have a prodigious effect upon the price of liquors here, which bave already ad vanced considerably in consequence of the rise of grain. It may well be questioned, however, ia how tit the retention of good grain in Ireland will compensate for, or become substitute for the potatoes thst have rotted. If laborers, who have nothing but potatoes that they raise themselve. and no accumulated property in any shape, as a reerve, find their potatoes rotted on their hds,itwili be difBce for them to buy wheat, or even oatneal, as a substitute. This difficulty may, in some degre be overcome by employment of tbo Irish, through an exwnded cxpendilere. Ann,
Total.
qrs. 456,321 11,773,872 999,759 18,299,403
917,535 19,568,635